Boston : 


THE    LIFE 


OF 


ISRAEL    P  TJ  T  I  A  M, 


MAJOR-GENERAL    IN    THE    ARMY 


OF    THE 


AMERICAN    REVOLUTION, 

COMPILED   FROM 

THE    BEST    AUTHORITIES. 


BY    WILLIAM    CUTTER. 


\       FOURTH  EDITION. 


BOSTON: 

JOHN   PIIILBRICK, 

62   HANOVER   STREET. 
1854. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1846,  by 

GEORGE  F.  COOLKDGE. 
in  the  Clerk's  Office  for  the  Southern  District  of  New  York. 


PREFACE. 


THERE  are  three  sources  to  which  the  writer  of  bio 
graphy  may  repair,  for  materials  to  accomplish  his 
work.  The  first  is  an  intimate  personal  acquaintance 
with  his  subject,  derived  from  long  intercourse,  and  a 
daily  participation  in  the  scenes  which  it  is  his  purpose 
to  describe.  The  next  is,  a  detailed  narrative  of  inci 
dents  and  events,  taken  down  from  the  lips  of  his 
subject,  giving  to  his  delineations  the  spirit  and  au 
thenticity  of  an  autobiography.  The  third  is  found  in 
the  testimony  of  neighbors  and  acquaintances,  corrobo 
rated  by  contemporaneous  history,  correspondence, 
&c.  When  the  veracity  and  honesty  of  the  party  are 
unimpeachable,  there  is  no  source  so  reliable  as  that 
which  is  here  placed  second  in  the  list.  No  person 
can  possibly  be  so  well  acquainted  with  the  acts  of 
another  as  himself.  And  when,  to  the  proper  appre 
ciation  of  these  acts,  it  is  necessary  to  know  some 
thing  of  the  motives  and  purposes  from  which  they 
sprung,  and  the  feelings  with  which  they  were  accom 
panied,  this  is  the  only  source  to  which  we  can  look. 
And  when  to  this  is  added  an  intimate  personal  ac 
quaintance  of  a  compiler  of  approved  integrity  and 
faithfulness,  it  affords  the  highest  species  of  evidence 
in  favor  of  his  narrative,  which  can  possibly  be  desired. 
Of  th;s  nature  is  the  evidence  in  favor  of  the  prin- 

103235 


IV  PREFACE. 

cipal  incidents  in  the  life  of  General  Putnam.  His 
original  biographer,  Colonel  David  Humphreys,  was 
intimately  associated  with  him,  having  served  as  Aide- 
de-camp  in  his  staff,  during  a  portion  of  the  Revolu 
tionary  War.  He  had  many  parts  of  the  narrative 
direct  from  the  lips  of  the  General.  That  he  was 
competent  to  discharge  well  the  duties  of  a  biographer 
— that  he  was  entitled  to  the  confidence  of  his  readers 
— will  not  be  questioned  by  any  who  have  honestly 
consulted  the  history  of  the  times,  and  weighed  the 
opinions  of  those  who  knew  him  best. 

When  General  Putnam's  health  failed,  in  1779,  and 
he  was  compelled  to  retire  from  the  service,  Colonel 
Humphreys  served,  for  a  short  time,  as  Aid  to  General 
Greene ;  after  which  he  became  a  member  of  General 
Washington's  family,  and  served  him  as  Aide-de-camp, 
during  the  remainder  of  his  military  career.  That  he 
occupied  a  very  high  place  in  the  esteem  of  "  the 
Father  of  his  country,"  and  of  others  eminent  in  the 
councils  of  the  nation,  is  abundantly  manifest  in  the 
correspondence  of  Washington. 

Among  a  multitude  of  letters  which  might  be  refer 
red  to,  an  extract  from  one  only  will  be  given.  It 
was  addressed  to  Colonel  Humphreys  in  Europe,  un 
der  date  of  the  25th  of  July,  1785.  General  Wash 
ington,  apparently  in  reply  to  a  suggestion  from  Hum 
phreys,  that  he  (Washington)  should  apply  himself 
to  preparing  commentaries  upon  the  Revolutionary 
WTar,  says  :  u  In  a  former  letter,  I  informed  you,  my 
dear  Humphreys,  that  if  I  had  talents  for  it,  I  had  no 
leisure  to  turn  my  thoughts  to  commentaries.  *  *  * 
I  should  be  pleased  indeed  to  see  you  undertake  this 


PREFACE.  V 

business.  Your  abilities  as  a  writer,  your  discernment 
respecting  the  principles  which  led  to  the  decision  by 
arms,  your  personal  knowledge  of  many  facts  as  they 
occurred  in  the  progress  of  the  war,  your  disposition 
to  justice,  candor,  and  impartiality,  and  your  diligence 
in  investigating  truth,  all  combining,  Jit  you,  when 
joined  with  the  vigor  of  life,  for  this  task.  I  should, 
with  great  pleasure,  not  only  give  you  the  perusal  of 
all  my  papers,  but  any  oral  information  of  circum 
stances,  which  cannot  be  obtained  from  these,  that  my 
memory  will  furnish  ;  and  I  can  with  great  truth  add, 
that  my  house  would  not  only  be  at  your  service,  dur 
ing  the  period  of  your  preparing  this  work,  but  (  I  say 
it  without  an  unmeaning  compliment)  I  should  be 
exceedingly  happy  if  you  would  make  it  your  home. 
You  might  have  an  apartment  to  yourself,  in  which 
you  could  command  your  own  time.  You  would  be 
considered  and  treated  as  one  of  the  family,  and  meet 
with  that  cordial  reception  and  entertainment,  which 
are  characteristic  of  the  sincerest  friendship." 

Colonel  Humphreys  returned  home  in  May,  1786 ; 
after  which  he  was  often  at  Mount  Vernon,  a  member 
of  Washington's  family.  It  was  there  that  he  wrote  the 
Life  of  General  Putnam,  in  1788,  under  the  eye  of 
Washington,  and  with  the  best  possible  means  of 
knowing  that  great  man's  opinion  of  the  subject  of 
his  work.  The  work  was  written  for  the  Society  of 
Cincinnati,  of  Connecticut,  and  by  them,  and  under 
their  sanction,  presented  to  the  world.  This  Society 
was  composed  of  surviving  officers  of  the  Revolution, 
the  compeers  of  Putnam,  and  the  sharers  and  eye 
witnesses  of  his  heroic  and  daring  achievements. 


VI  PREFACE. 

In  addition  to  the  testimony  of  Colonel  Humphreys, 
we  have  that  of  a  large  number  of  the  cotemporaries 
of  General  Putnam.  Numerous  letters,  written  at  the 
time  when,  and  on  the  spot  where,  the  several  promi 
nent  events  occurred,  as  well  as  the  verbal  testimony 
of  the  few  aged  witnesses  who  yet  remain  among  us, 
confirm,  and  more  than  confirm,  the  narrative  of  his 
original  biographer.  It  would  appear  that  Putnam 
had  not  been  disposed  to  estimate  his  own  services 
very  highly,  or  to  present  in  any  very  strong  colors 
his  own  acts  of  heroism ;  since  Colonel  Humphreys, 
who  gathered  much  of  his  material  from  personal  con 
versations  with  his  subject,  is  far  more  modest  and 
unpretending,  in  many  of  his  statements,  than  authen 
tic  documents,  furnished  both  by  friends  and  by  foes 
of  that  period,  would  warrant. 

In  bestowing  the  above  high  commendation  on 
Colonel  Humphreys,  it  is  not  intended  to  hold  him 
up  as  infallible  ;  but  only  to  say,  that,  with  respect  to 
the  general  truthfulness  and  fidelity  of  his  sketches, 
and  the  degree  of  reliance  to  be  placed  upon  his  narra 
tive,  though  there  may  be  some  slight  errors  and  mis 
conceptions,  the  testimony  is  unquestionable,  and  the 
character  of  the  witness  above  suspicion. 

The  present  compilation  is,  of  course,  indebted  to 
the  original  memoir,. for  its  main  outline,  and  princi 
pal  incidents.  It  will  be  seen,  however,  to  have  de 
viated  from  it,  in  some  points,  upon  a  careful  compa 
rison  of  authorities  ;  while  large  additions  have  been 
made  from  other  authentic  sources. 

Brooklyn,  L.  /.,  Oct.,  1846. 


IN  the  preparation  of  this  work,  the  following  authorities  have  been 
consulted.  There  are  some  discrepancies  among  them,  in  relation 
to  several  points  of  considerable  importance.  Without  attempting  to 
account  for  these  discrepancies,  I  have  endeavored  as  far  as  pos 
sible  to  reconcile  them,  by  a  rigid  and  laborious  comparison  of 
each  with  all  the  rest,  and  by  an  impartial  consideration  of  the 
amount  of  responsibility  attached  to  each.  How  far  I  have  succeed 
ed  in  doing  justice  to  all,  and  to  my  subject,  it  must  be  for  others  to 
decide. 
The  Life  of  General  Putnam.  By  Colonel  David  Humphreys.  With 

Notes  and  Additions.    Boston.     1818. 
The  Life  of  Israel  Putnam.     By  Oliver  W.  B.  Peabody.    Sparks' 

American  Biography,  Vol.  vii. 
Memoirs  of  the  American  Revolution,  &c.     By  William  Moultrie. 

New  York.     1802. 

History  of  the  American  Revolution.     By  Bernard  Hubley.    North 
umberland,  Penn.     1805. 
History  of  the  Origin,  Progress  and  Termination  of  the  American 

War.    By  C.  Stedman.     London.     1799. 
Annals  of  the  American  Revolution,  &c.     By  Jedediah  Morse,  D.D. 

Hartford.     1824. 

History  of  the  American  Revolution.     By  Paul  Allen. 
Botta's  American  Independence. 
History  of  the  Rise,  Progress  and  Establishment  of  the  Independence 

of  the  U.  S.  A.     By  William  Gordon,  D.  D.    New  York.     1789. 
Pemberton's  Historical  Journal  of  the  American  War. 
Thatcher's         do. 

Holmes'  Annals  of  America.     Second  edition.    Cambridge.     1829. 
Sandford's  United  States  and  Aborigines.     Phil.     1819. 
Anecdotes  of  the  Revolutionary  War  in  America.     By  Alexander 

Gordon.    First  and  Second  Series.     1822  and  1828, 
Marshall's  Life  cf  Washington.     Second  Edition.    2  vols.      Phil. 

1832. 

Ramsay's  Life  of  Washington. 
Sparks'      do.  do.  Boston.     1839. 

Writings  of  Washington.     12  vols.    Edited  by  Dr.  Sparks.     1829. 
Rogers'  Biographical  Dictionary.    Phil.     1829. 
Gorton's        do.  do.  London. 


(viii) 

Library  of  American  Biography.     By  J.  Sparks. 

American  Portrait  Gallery. 

History  of  Massachusetts.    Ay  Alden  Bradford.    Boston.     1829. 

History  of  Connecticut.    By  J.  Trumbull. 

History  of  the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill.    With  a  plan.    By  S.  Swetn 

Third  Edition.    With  Notes. 
Life  of  Aaron  Burr.    By  Matthew  L.  Davis. 
American  Archives — consisting  of  a  collection  of  authentic  records, 

state  papers,  debates,  letters,  and  other  notices  of  public  affairs  j 

&c.,  &c.    Prepared  and  published  under  the  authority  of  an  Act  of 

Congress.    Fourth  Series,  in  six  quarto  vols. 
Almon's  Impartial  Remembrancer.     London.     1775,  et  seq. 
Mante's  History  of  the  French  War.    London.     1772. 
Historical  Journal  of  the  Campaigns  in  North  America,  for  1757, 

1758,  1759  and  1760.    By  John  Knox.    London.     1769. 
Journals  of  Major  Robert  Rogers,  &c.    London.     1765. 
Also  numerous  pamphlets,  MS.  Orderly  Book,  &e. 


TABLE    OF    CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER   I. 

EARLY   LIFE   AND    YOUTHFUL    ADVENTURES   OF   PUTNAM. 

His  ancestry — His  birth — The  old  homestead — His  early 
life — Deficiency  of  the  means  of  education — Early  develop 
ment  of  character — The  bird's  nest — Hazardous  exploit — 
Coolness  and  intrepidity  in  danger — Singular  escape — Per 
severance  in  pursuit  of  an  object — The  prize  secured — His 
activity,  industry,  and  wit — His  first  visit  to  Boston — In 
sulted  in  the  street— His  able  defence — Slavery— Anecdote 
ofCudge — The  sequel.  .......21 

CHAPTER    II. 
PUTNAM'S  MARRIAGE  AND  SETTLEMENT  IN  CONNECTICUT. 

His  marriage — Removes  to  Pomfret — His  prosperity  as  a  far 
mer — His  operations  as  a  wool-grower— Ravages  in  his 
sheep-folds — The  veteran  she-wolf — Her  annual  visits  to 
Pomfret — Her  extensive  operations  there — Combination 
against  her — The  pursuit — Tracked  home  to  her  den — At 
tempts  to  smoke  her  out— Putnam  descends  into  the  cave — 
Description  of  the  passage — His  sudden  exit — Returns  with 
his  gun — Despatches  his  enemy — Returns  the  third  time  and 
drags  her  out — Triumphant  procession — Reception  in  the 
village — Exaggerated  versions  of  the  story.  33 

CHAPTER    III. 

THE    FRENCH   WAR.       PUTNAM'S    FIRST    CAMPAIGN. 

Mr.  Putnam's  general  popularity— Receives  a  Captain's  com 
mission  under  General  Lyman — His  company — Generally 
1* 


X  TABLE      OF      CONTENTS. 

employed  as  rangers  and  scouts — Nature  and  difficulty  of 
that  service — Inauspicious  commencement  of  the  war — Sir 
William  Johnson's  successful  expedition— Its  object  and  plan 
— Fortifications — Position  of  the  French  at  Tinconderoga- 
They  attempt  to  arrest  the  English  works — Dieskau  marches 
upon  Fort  Edward — Changes  his  course  towards  Lake 
George — Encounters  Colonel  Williams — The  battle — Hen- 
dricks,  the  Mohawk  chief— Williams  and  Hendricks  slain 
— The  retreat — The  assault  upon  Johnson's  camp — Re 
pelled — Dieskau  a  prisoner — The  pursuit — Captain  McGin- 
nes— Joseph  Brant— Fort  William  Henry  built— Captain 
Rogers — His  Journal — Its  omissions — His  character  and 
subsequent  history — Goes  on  a  scout  with  Putnam — Rogers 
in  imminent  danger — Rescued  by  Putnam — Army  in  win 
ter  quarters — Putnam  returns  to  his  family.  43 

CHAPTER    IV. 

THE   CAMPAIGN    OF    1756.       PUTNAM'S    SERVICES    AS    A    RANGER 

Putnam  re-appointed — Plan  of  the  campaign— Montcalm's 
success  at  Oswego  and  Fort  George — The  English  put  upon 
the  defensive— The  active  services  of  the  Rangers— Adven 
ture  of  Putnam  and  Durkee  at  "  The  Ovens  " — Arrange 
ment  of  the  French  camp— The  scouts  within  the  lines — 
Fired  upon — Their  narrow  escape — Their  lodgings — Can 
teen  sprung  a  leak — Baggage  train  plundered  at  Half- Way 
Brook— Putnam  and  Rogers  sent  in  pursuit  of  the  plunder 
ers — Successful  encounter  with  the  boats — Pursued  in  their 
turn— Rencontre  with  a  superior  force  at  Sabbath-day  Point 
—The  enemy  defeated  and  dispersed — Another  adventure — 
Putnam  sent  out  to  take  a  prisoner — Cowardly  conduct  of 
his  men — Defeated  in  his  object — His  escape — His  ultimate 
success — Importance  of  this  kind  of  service — Putnam's  pe 
culiar  fitness  for  it.  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  55 

CHAPTER    V. 

THE    CAMPAIGN    OF    1757. 

Putnam  promoted  to  be  a  Major — Inefficiency  of  the  British 
Generals — Hopes  of  the  colonies — Lord  Loudoun  suddenly 
disconcerted— General  Webb  visits  Fort  William  Henry— 


TABLE      OF      CONTENTS. 


xi 


Putnam  reconnoitres  the  enemy — An  attack  on  the  lort  threat 
ened—Webb  returns  to  Fort  Edward— Sends  a  reinforce 
ment  to  Fort  William  Henry— Summons  from  Montcalm 
to  surrender — Timid  policy  of  Webb — The  fortress  capitu 
lates—Shameful  massacre  by  the  Indians — Putnam  visits 
the  scene  of  carnage — Unexpected  assault  upon  Captain 
Little  and  his  fatigue  party— Relieved  by  Major  Putnam- 
Disobedience—Fire  in  the  barracks — Putnam's  heroic  and 
successful  exertions  in  subduing  the  flames — Narrow  escape 
of  the  garrison.  ---------67 

CHAPTER    VI. 

CAMPAIGN    OF    1758.       ABERCROMBIE'S    ASSAULT    UPON   TICON- 
DEROGA. 

Mr.  Pitt  Prime  Minister  of  England— Lord  Loudoun  super 
seded  by  General  Abercrombie — Putnam  on  a  reconnoiter- 
ing  expedition — Constructs  a  small  parapet  at  South  Bay — 
Shoots  a  buck — Starts  an  enemy— Molang  and  his  party — 
Their  stealthy  advance — Suddenly  arrested — A  sharp  con 
flict  in  the  dark — The  enemy  defeated  in  an  attempt  to  turn 
Putnam's  flank — Immense  loss  of  the  French— Putnam  or 
ders  a  retreat — Unexpected  meeting  with  a  party  of  friends 
— A  reinforcement — Ticonderoga — An  expedition  under 
General  Abercrombie  against  the  French— Skirmish  with  ad 
vanced  guard — Death  of  Lord  Howe — His  high  reputa 
tion — His  death  speedily  avenged — Putnam's  kindness  to 
the  wounded — A  new  encampment — The  assault — The 
retreat — Major  Putnam's  activity — General  Abercrombie 
responsible  for  the  disastrous  issue  of  the  expedition.  81 

CHAPTER    VII. 

CAMPAIGN    OF    1758    CONTINUED.       MAJOR    PUTNAM    A    PRISONER. 

Putnam's  perilous  escape  down  the  rapids  of  the  Hudson — 
Superstitious  notion  of  the  Indians — Putnam  and  Rogers 
pursuing  a  party  of  French  Rangers — Lying  in  wait  at 
South  Bay  and  Wood  Creek — Discovered — Rogers'  incau 
tious  sport — Molang  in  ambush — Our  Rangers  threading  the 
forest — Putnam  in  the  van — The  ambush  springs  upon  him 


Xll  TABLE      OF      CONTENTS. 

— He  is  made  a  prisoner  by  an  Indian — His  perilous  po 
sition  during  the  fight— The  French  retreat,  taking  Putnam 
with  them — His  cruel  treatment — Severely  wounded  in  the 
cheek— About  to  be  burned  alive— Rescued  by  Molang — 
Comparative  humanity  of  his  captor — His  ludicrous  confine 
ment  at  night — Arrival  at  Ticonderoga — Carried  to  Mon 
treal — Kindness  of  Col.  Schuyler — He  contrives  to  have 
Putnam  included  in  a  cartel  of  exchange — The  return- 
Story  of  Mrs.  Howe.  -  93 

CHAPTER    VIII. 

THE  CAMPAIGN  OF  1759  AND  1760.     EXPEDITION   AGAINST  THE 
WEST  INDIA  ISLANDS. 

British  successes  in  1759 — Putnam  promoted  to  a  Lieutenant- 
Colonelcy — Large  and  vigorous  plans  of  General  Amherst 
— The  army  in  three  divisions  proceeds  to  Montreal — Put 
nam  with  the  General  in-chief  on  Lake  Ontario — Two 
French  vessels  captured  in  the  St.  Lawrence — Fort  Oswe- 
gatchie  capitulates — The  three  divisions  of  the  army  meet 
before  Montreal— Surrender  of  that  Fortress,  and  of  all  the 
French  posts  in  Canada — Conquest  of  Martinique,  and 
all  the  Caribbees — Expedition  against  Havana — Putnam  in 
command  of  the  Connecticut  regiment — Wrecked  on  the 
coast  of  Cuba — Putnam's  good  management  and  discipline 
— Opportune  arrival  at  Havana — The  harbor  and  fortifica 
tions — The  Moro  carried  by  storm — The  capitulation — 
Peace  in  Europe — Improving  prospects  of  the  Colonies.  -  105 

CHAPTER    IX. 

THE    PONTIAC    WAR. 

Results  of  the  late  contest  between  England  and  France — Con 
dition,  character,  and  hopes  of  the  Indians — Pontiac,  the 
Otoway  chief — His  first  successes  and  plan  of  Union — 
Movements  of  General  Amherst — Captain  Dalyell  ordered 
to  Detroit — His  bold  sortie  from  the  fort — His  glorious  death 
— Putnam,  now  a  Colonel,  accompanies  Col.  Bradstreet  to 
Detroit — Supplies  thrown  into  the  fortress — Pontiac,  over 
awed  by  the  superior  numbers  of  his  enemy,  proposes  con- 


TABLE      OF      CONTENTS.  xl 

ditions  of  peace— Colonel  Putnam's  letter  from  the  camp — 
Enlarged  views  and  bravery  of  Pontiac— Review  of  Colonel 
Putnam's  military  career — His  high  reputation  as  an  offi 
cer — Retires  to  his  farm — Honorable  testimonials  of  public 
confidence — Domestic  affliction.  -  -  -  -  -115 

CHAPTER    X. 

CAUSES    OF    THE    REVOLUTION. 

The  Navigation  Acts— Writs  of  Assistance — Stamp  Act— Re 
sistance  in  the  colonies — Activity  and  zeal  of  Colonel  Put 
nam — Stamp  officers  compelled  to  resign — Case  of  Mr.  In- 
gersol— His  public  resignation  at  Weathersfield— Putnam's 
interview  with  the  Governor — Prevalence  of  the  same 
spirit — Results— Stamp  Act  repealed— A  season  of  tranquil 
lity — Putnam  opens  a  public  house — General  Lyman's  mis 
sion  to  England — Obtains  a  grant  of  land  on  the  Mississippi 
— Proceeds  with  Putnam  and  othens  to  locate  it — Forms  an 
establishment  at  Natchez — Putnam  returns  to  take,  part  in 
the  agitations  of  the  country.  ------  127 

CHAPTER    XI. 

AGITATIONS    PRECEDING    THE   WAR    OF    INDEPENDENCE. 

Duties  on  glass,  paper,  tea,  &c. — Board  of  trade — Resistance 
— Associations  to  suspend  commercial  intercourse  with  Eng- 
gland — Other  measures— Brief  view  of  the  difficult  position 
of  the  colonies — Resolution  of  leading  men — The  part  taken 
by  Colonel  Putnam — His  conferences  with  British  officers 
— His  opinion  of  the  result  of  a  war — His  confidence  in 
American  women — Committees  of  correspondence — An 
alarm — Putnam's  letter — Defence  of  his  course.  -  -  137 

CHAPTER    XII. 

FIRST   ACT    IN   THE    DRAMA    OF   THE    REVOLUTION. 

Condition  of  the  colonies — Preparations  for  war — Pitcairn's 
and  Smith's  secret  expedition  to  Concord— Skirmish  at  Lex 
ington — Stores  destroyed  at  Concord — American  yeomanry 
roused — Difficult  retreat  of  the  British — In  danger  of  being 


XIV  TABLE      OF      CONTENTS. 

cut  off— Reinforced  by  Lord  Percy— Closely  pursued,  and 
severely  handled  by  the  Americans — Narrow  escape  of  Ma 
jor  Pitcairn — His  pistols — The  alarm — Putnam  at  his  plough 
—Flies  to  Cambridge— Boston  invested— Organization  of 
the  army— Putnam's  position — General  Ward— American 
officers  tempted  with  bribes — General  Gage's  treatment  of 
the  Bostonians — Fortifications  round  Boston— Hazardous 
exploit — Skirmish  at  Noddle  Island— Exchange  of  priso 
ners.  147 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

THE    BATTLE    OF    BUNKER    HILL. 

An  intrenchment  ordered  on  Bunker  Hill — Divisions  in  the 
Council  respecting  this  measure— The  detachment— The 
Peninsula  of  Charlestown — Detachment  pauses  at  the  foot 
of  the  Hill — A  discussion— Breed's  Hill  selected  for  a  re 
doubt — Colonel  Gridley — Description  of  the  redoubt — Indus 
try  and  spirit  of  the  men— Surprise  of  the  British — Severe 
cannonade — Preparations  for  a  battle— Putnam  goes  to  Cam 
bridge  for  reinforcements — General  Ward's  opinion — Put 
nam's  position— His  desire  to  fortify  on  Bunker  Hill— Land 
ing  of  the  British — "  The  Breastwork"— The  rail  fence — 
Accessions  to  the  American  force—Warren,  Pomeroy, 
Stark,  Reed,  &c.— Putnam's  activity — Terrible  slaughter 
among  the  British — They  retreat — Captain  Callender — Bri 
tish  compelled  to  retreat  again  and  again— Burning  of  Char 
lestown — Putnam's  reception  of  the  incendiaries — Arrival 
of  Captain  Foster  with  a  wagon-load  of  powder — Heavy 
loss  of  the  British — Storming  the  redoubt— The  retreat- 
Putnam  bringing  up  the  rear— Intrenchment  on  Prospect  and 
Winter  Hills. 161 

CHAPTER    XIV. 

ARRIVAL    OF   WASHINGTON    AT    CAMBRIDGE.       ORGANIZATION   OF 
THE    ARMY".       FORTIFICATIONS. 

Position  of  the  colonies— Congress  assumes  command  of  the 
army — Washington  appointed commander-in-chief — Arrives 
at  Cambridge — Subordinate  appointments— Putnam  aMajor- 


TABLE      OF      CONTENTS.  XV 

General — Jealousies — How  reconciled — Putnam's  hign  re 
putation — Courts  of  inquiry — The  British  fortifying  Bun 
ker  Hill — Organization  of  the  American  camp — Washing 
ton's  regard  for  Putnam — His  opinion  of  him — New  for 
tifications — Putnam's  activity — Rev.  Mr.  Harvey — Anec 
dotes — "  Declaration"  of  Congress,  how  received  by  the  army 
—  Incidents  at  Cobble-Hill — Major  Knowlton's  sortie  upon 
Charlestown  neck — Scene  in  the  Boston  theatre — Peculiar 
character  of  the  continental  army — Influence  and  arduous 
duties  of  the  officers. 185 

CHAPTER    XV. 

BOSTON    EVACUATED    BY    THE   BRITISH. 

General  Lee  ordered  to  New  York — Volunteers  raised  in 
Connecticut — Washington's  desire  for  an  attack  on  Bos 
ton — Genera]  Thomas  takes  possession  of  the  Heights  of 
Dorchester — Lord  Percy  attempts  to  dislodge  him — A  severe 
storm  interrupts  his  movements — Intended  attack  on  Boston 
by  General  Putnam — The  council  of  war — Nook's  Hill 
fortified  —General  Gage  suddenly  evacuates  Boston — Put 
nam  takes  possession — Wooden  sentries  on  Bunker  Hill.  -  201 

CHAPTER    XVI. 

PUTNAM    IN    COMMAND    AT    NEW    YORK. 

General  Putnam  ordered  to  New  York — His  instructions 
— His  Head  Quarters — His  family — Loyalists,  or  Tories  in 
New  York— Martial  law-— Police  of  the  city— Intercourse 
with  the  enemy  forbidden — Fortified  posts  in  the  vicinity — 
Washington's  arrival  at  New  York — Goes  to  meet  Congress 
at  Philadelphia — Instructions  to  General  Putnam — Letter 
from  Philadelphia — Fire  ships  ordered  to  be  built — General 
Howe's  arrival  at  Staten  Island — His  plans  and  hopes — 
His  army — Arrival  of  the  British  fleet — Declaration  of  In 
dependence — Its  reception  by  the  American  army.  -  -  207 

CHAPTER    XVII. 

THE    BRITISH    FLEET    AND    ARMY    AT    STATEN    ISLAND. 
CONTRIVANCES    TO    ANNOY    THEM. 

Comparative  force  of  the  English  and  Americans — Two  fri- 


XVI  TABLE      OF      CONTENTS. 

gates  pass  up  the  North  River — Confined  to  Tappan  Sea — 
Conflict  with  the  American  galleys — Ckevaux-de-frise — 
Described  by  General  Putnam — Its  ill  success — The  fire- 
ships  alike  unsuccessful — BushnelPs  American  Turtle — The 
expedition  of  Abijah  Shipman.  ------  223 

CHAPTER    XVIII. 

THE    BATTLE    OF    BROOKLYN,    AND     RETREAT    FROM    LONG    ISLAND. 

Fortifications  on  Long  Island — General  Sullivan  in  command, 
in  consequence  of  the  illness  of  General  Greene — Land 
ing  of  the  British  at  the  Narrows— Sullivan  reinforced — 
Putnam  sent  to  take  the  command — His  orders — Relative 
position  of  the  armies — General  Clinton  seizes  one  of  the 
passes  through  the  hills — General  Grant  makes  a  feint  in 
the  opposite  direction — General  Stirling  detached  to  meet 
him— De  Heister  advances  towards  Bedford— Clinton  gains 
the  rear  of  Sullivan,  while  De  Heister  attacks  him  in  front 
—Sullivan,  in  an  attempt  to  retreat,  is  taken  prisoner — 
Stirling,  attempting  to  regain  the  lines,  is  met  by  Corn- 
wallis — Engages  him,  to  cover  the  retreat  of  his  division — Is 
made  prisoner — The  greater  part  of  his  division  escapes — 
Loss  of  the  Americans — Washington  in  the  camp,  a  witness 
of  the  battle — The  difficulty  of  his  position — Comments  upon 
the  Battle— Masterly  retreat.  ...  -  -  233 

CHAPTER    XIX. 

RETREAT    OF   THE    CONTINENTAL    ARMY    FROM    NEW    YORK. 

Extension  of  the  British  lines  on  Long  Island — Preparations  to 
attack  New  York— Washington  prepares  to  abandon  the  city 
— Overruled  by  his  council— Division  of  the  army— Put 
nam  commanding  the  rear  division  in  the  city — A  second  %' 
council  advises  its  abandonment — Sir  Henry  Clinton  lands 
at  Kip's  Bay— Dastardly  conduct  of  the  American  soldiers 
—Imminent  exposure  of  Washington— He  establishes  his 
Head-duarters  on  the  Heights  of  Haerlem— Putnam,  with 
his  division,  commences  his  retreat — His  extraordinary 
exertions — Stratagem  to  detain  the  enemy — Mrs.  Murray — 
Narrow  escape  of  the  division— General  Howe's  position 


TABLE      OF     CONTENTS.  XVI) 

— The  American  posts — Successful  skirmish  with  the  ene 
my — Colonel  Knowlton  slain — Major  Leitch  mortally 
wounded — Character  of  Knowlton— Happy  effect  of  this  little 
success.  ----------  249 

CHAPTER    XX. 

LOSS   OF    FORT   WASHINGTON,    AND     RETREAT   THROUGH    NEW 
JERSEY. 

An  attack  expected— Annoying  the  enemy— Plunderers — 
Howe  attempts  to  gain  the  rear  of  the  American  army — 
Lands  at  Frog's  Point — Advances  towards  New  Rochelle — 
The  American  lines — Skirmishes  of  Colonels  Haslet  and 
Hand — General  McDougall's  post  at  Chattel-ton's  Hill — As 
saulted  and  carried — Putnam  marches  to  reinforce  him,  but 
arrives  too  late — Washington  retires  to  North  Castle — Howe 
turns  towards  New  York — Fort  Independence  evacuat 
ed — Putnam  ordered  into  New  Jersey — Loss  of  Fort  Wash 
ington — Cornwallis  crosses  the  North  River — Retreat  of  the 
American  army,  step  by  step,  to  the  Delaware — Discou 
raging  prospects — Firmness  of  Washington,  and  good  con 
duct  of  Putnam. UG 

CHAPTER    XXI. 
PUTNAM'S  COMMAND  AT  PHILADELPHIA  AND  PRINCETON 

Designs  of  General  Howe  upon  Philadelphia — Putnam  or 
dered .  to  defend  it — Washington's  views  of  the  importance 
of  that  place — Putnam's  general  orders — Conference  with 
Congress — His  arduous  labors — Battles  of  Trenton  and 
Princeton — Part  intended  to  be  assigned  to  Putnam— Wash 
ington's  correspondence — Ordered  to  Crosswicks — Stationed 
at  Princeton — Smallness  of  his  force — Captain  McPherson 
— Severity  and  unwise  policy  of  the  British — Humanity 
of  Putnam — His  success  in  protecting  the  country  from  law 
less  plunderers — General  Dickinson's  successful  skirmish 
with  a  foraging  party — Success  of  Colonel  Gurney  and  Ma 
jor  Davis— Major  Stockton  surprised  and  taken  by  Col 
onel  Nelson — Severe  treatment  of  Major  Stockton — The 
Skinners,  Cow-boys,  and  Yagers" — Gallant  conduct  of  Major 


XV111  TABLE      OF      CONTENTS. 

Smith  at  Bound  Brook— Reinforcement  of  the  British  army 
— Putnam  ordered  to  keep  a  good  look  out  towards  Phi 
ladelphia — Little  vexations— Results  of  his  winter  opera 
tions  in  New  Jersey— Aaron  Burr.  *•'•-•  271 

CHAPTER    XXII. 

PUTNAM'S  COMMAND  IN  THE  HIGHLANDS. 

Importance  of  the  Highlands — Destruction  of  American  stores 
at  Peekskill  and  Danbury— Good  conduct  of  McDougall,  Ar 
nold  and  Wooster— Generals  Greene  and  Knox  examine  the 
posts  in  the  Highlands,  and  advise  a  mode  of  defence— Ge 
neral  Putnam  put  in  command  at  Peekskill,  with  directions 
to  carry  out  that  plan — Obstructions  in  the  river-— Arduous 
labors  and  exposures  of  Putnam— Washington's  opinion  of 
his  character — Desires  him  to  surprise  the  enemy's  post  at 
King's  Bridge — Abandons  the  project,  and  removes  his  camp 
to  Middlebrook — 'Putnam's  force  greatly  reduced  to  rein 
force  the  main  army-- Reduced  still  further,  to  support  Ge 
neral  Schuyler,  on  the  north—Doubtful  movements  of  the 
enemy — Marches  and  countermarches  of  the  Americans — 
First  anniversary  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence — Eva 
cuation  of  Ticonderoga,  and  advance  of  Burgoyne — Ame 
rican  force  concentrated  in  the  Highlands—Howe's  clumsy 
attempt  to  deceive  Washington — The  latter  withdraws  his 
force  again  into  New  Jersey — Orders  and  countermands — 
Edmund  Palmer,  the  spy,  in  Putnam's  camp.  -  -  28? 

CHAPTER    XXIII. 

COMMAND    IN    THE    HIGHLANDS    CONTINUED.       LOSS    OF    FORTS 
MONTGOMERY    AND    CLINTON. 

Extent  of  Putnam's  command— Relative  position  of  the  forts 
— Plans  an  attempt  on'  the  posts  of  the  enemy — His  force 
greatly  reduced — Sir  Henry  Clinton  in  New  Jersey — De 
tachments  lor  the  main  army  delayed — Peremptory  order  to 
hasten  their  march— Militia  of  little  service— Sir  Henry 
Clinton  in  Haverstraw  Bay — Favored  by  circumstances — 
Lands  at  Tarrytown — at  Verplanck's  Point— at  Stony  Point 
— covered  by  a  dense  fog — Diverts  General  Putnam  from 


TABLE      OF      CONTENTS.  XIX 

his  main  object — Gains  the  rear  of  Forts  Montgomery  and 
Clinton — His  advance  resisted — Severe  action — Gallant 
assault — Putnam  orders  a  reinforcement — Works  carried — 
Escape  of  part  of  the  garrison — Putnam  retires  to  Fishkill — 
Frigates  burnt — British  advance,  burning  villages  and 
houses — Hearing  of  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne,  they  re 
turn  again  to  New  York — Death  of  Mrs.  Putnam — Peekskill 
retaken — Comments  upon  the  late  disasters.  -  303 

CHAPTER    XIV. 

DISSATISFACTION    WITH    PUTNAM'S     COMMAND    IN    NEW    YORK. 

Putnam  reinforced  from  the  northern  army — Projected  en 
terprise  agai-nst  New  York — Colonel  Meigs's  successful 
scout — Movements  on  the  Delaware — Hamilton  commis 
sioned  to  obtain  reinforcements  from  Gates — Visits  Put 
nam  at  Fishkill — Returns  to  New  Windsor — His  Letters — 
Severe  animadversions  upon  Putnam — Comments  upon 
those  letters — Contrasted  with  those  of  Washington — Pre 
judices  of  the  people  of  New  York — Their  origin — Wash 
ington's  action,  language,  and  feeling  with  reference  to 
them — Governor  Clinton  requested  to  take  the  command  in 
the  Highlands — Explanation  of  the  language  of  Washing 
ton  on  that  occasion — Dickinson's  enterprise  on  Staten  Island 
— Putnam's  diversion  towards  King's  Bridge — Takes  post 
at  New  Rochelle— Successful  enterprises  against  parties  ot 
the  enemy — Fires  General  Delancy's  house — Takes  Colonel 
Delaricy  prisoner — Descent  upon  Long  Island  —Success  of 
General  Parsons — Colonel  Webb  a  prisoner.  -  323 

CHAPTER    XXV. 

NEW    FORTIFICATIONS    IN     THE     HIGHLANDS.       PUTNAM    DISPLACED 
FROM    THE    COMMAND. 

Condition  of  the  defences  in  the  Highlands— West  Point  se 
lected  as  the  principal  post — Raditire  prefers  Fort  Clinton 
— Putnam  consults  the  Legislature  of  New  York — To  whom 
is  the  credit  of  this  selection  due  1 — Works  commenced  in 
January — Wretched  state  of  the  army — Putnam's  letter  on 
that  point,  and  the  obstructions  in  the  river— He  goes  to 


XX  TABLE     OP      CON  TENTS. 

Connecticut— The  Court  of  Inquiry  into  the  causes  of  the 
loss  of  Forts  Montgomery  and  Clinton  Putnam  super- 
seded  by  General  McDougall— Decision  of  the  Court,  exone 
rating  Putnam  from  all  blame— Ordered  to  Connecticut,  to 
raise  recruits— Takes  command  of  the  right  wing— Sta 
tioned  at  Danbury — Gluells  a  mutiny— Perilous  adventure 
at  Horseneck — Operations  on  the  North  River — Putnam  in 
command  at  the  Clove — Wayne's  success  at  Stony  Point — 
Putnam's  command  near  West  Point — His  name  given  to 
the  principal  fort — Results  of  the  campaign.  ...  339 

CHAPTER    XXVI. 

RETIREMENT   AND   LAST    DAYS   OF  THE   HERO. 

Putnam  visits  his  family  in  Connecticut — Sets  out  on  his  re 
turn  to  the  army— Is  struck  with  paralysis,  and  retires— His 
interest  in  public  affairs — Correspondence  with  Washing 
ton — His  efforts  to  promote  temperance — His  abhorrence  of 
duelling — His  mode  of  accepting  challenges — His  peaceful 
enjoyment  of  the  evening  of  life — Public  and  private  esti 
mation  of  his  character — Testimony  of  Drs.  D wight  and 
Whitney — A  Christian's  death — Funeral  honors — Epitaph.  357 

APPENDIX. 

NUMBER    I. — Major  Rogers.         -  -  369 

II.— The  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  ....  375 
"       III.— Prejudices  of  the  People  of  New  York  against 

General  Putnam. 380 


THE    LIFE 


OF 


GENERAL    PUTNAM 


CHAPTER    I. 

EARLY    LIFE    AND    YOUTHFUL    ADVENTURES    OF    PUTNAM. 

His  ancestry — His  birth — The  old  homestead — His  early  life — 
Deficiency  of  the  means  of  education — Early  development  of  cha 
racter — The  bird's  nest — Hazardous  exploit — Coolness  and  intre 
pidity  in  danger — Singular  escape — Perseverance  in  pursuit  of 
an  object — The  prize  secured — His  activity,  industry,  and  wit — 
His  first  visit  to  Boston— Insulted  in  the  street— His  able  defence 
—Slavery— Anecdote  of  Cudge— The  sequel. 

AMONG  the  earliest  settlers  in  Salem,  in  the  Province  of 
Massachusetts,  was  JOHN  PUTNAM  ;  who,  for  the  free 
enjoyment  of  the  rights  of  conscience,  and  the  liberty  of 
worshipping  God  in  the  manner  which  his  own  judgment, 
enlightened  by  a  careful  study  of  the  Scriptures,  approved 
and  required,  left  the  home  of  his  youth,  and  the  sepul 
chres  of  his  fathers,  and  cast  in  his  lot  with  the  heroic, 
self-denying  Pilgrims,  under  the  banner  of  the  venerable 
Endicot.  He  was  a  man  of  eminent  piety,  and  acknow 
ledged  moral  worth  ;  having  blended  in  his  character  those 
elements  of  Christian  heroism  which  distinguished  %our 
Pilgrim  Fathers  above  every  other  body  of  men,  that 
ever  effected  a  great  revolution  in  the  world,  and  emi 
nently  fitted  them,  not  only  to  endure  the  hardships  of  a 
pioneer  life  in  a  savage  wilderness,  but  to  give  substance 


22  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

and  permanency  to  the  new  institutions,  which  it  was 
their  destiny  to  found  in  that  wilderness. 

The  original  name  of  the  family  was  Puttenham.  They 
resided  in  Buckinghamshire,  one  of  the  southern  counties 
of  England,  and  out  a  short  distance  from  the  metropolis. 
The  emigrant  brought  with  him  three  sons,  Thomas,  Na 
thaniel,  and  John,  and  two  brothers,  younger  than  himself. 
They  pitched  their  tents,  in  1634,  in  that  remote  part  of 
Salem  which,  for  a  century  past,  has  been  included  within 
the  limits  of  Danvers,  where  they  soon  established  them 
selves  as  successful,  independent  farmers  ;  and  where 
many  of  their  posterity  still  reside,  in  circumstances  of 
respectability  and  affluence. 

ISRAEL  PUTNAM  was  the  son  of  Captain  Joseph  Putnam, 
grandson  of  Thomas,  and  great  grandson  of  the  worthy 
John,  who  planted  the  family  tree  in  this  country.  He 
was  born  on  the  seventh  day  of  January,  1718,  and  was 
the  eleventh  of  a  family  of  twelve  children.  His  mother's 
maiden  name  was  Elizabeth  Porter.  The  house  in  which 
he  first  saw  the  light  is  still  standing,  in  good  order  and 
well-conditioned  ;  having,  like  the  hardy  old  settlers  who 
founded  it,  been  built  of  the  best  materials  which  the 
times  afforded.  It  is  an  old-fashioned,  gambrel-roofed 
house,  two  stories  in  height,  with  dormer  windows  in  the 
attic,  and  painted  yellow.  It  is  at  present  occupied  by 
Mr.  Daniel  Putnam,  grand  nephew  of  the  General.  It 
stands  on  the  main  road  from  u  The  Plains,"  in  Danvers, 
to  Middletown,  being  the  last  house  on  the  right  before 
the  intersection  of  that  road  with  the  Newburyport  turn 
pike.  By  the  turnpike,  it  is  exactly  half  way  between 
Newburyport  and  Boston. 

A  little  above  this  house,  near  the  angle  of  a  small  hill, 
on  the  right  side  of  the  road,  stands  a  locust  tree,  in  a 
gentle  hollow.  On  that  spot  formerly  stood  a  small,  one 


HISEARLYLIFE.  23 

story  house,  which  the  General  once  occupied,  and  where 
he  kept  a  sort  of  bachelor's  hall,  previous  to  his  marriage. 
When  the  house  was  taken  down,  some  fifty  years  ago, 
the  locust  tree  was  planted  there  by  one.  of  the  family,  to 
designate  the  spot  where  it  had  stood. 

Of  the  early  life  of  the  General,  however  it  might  have 
been  marked  by  incidents  illustrating  or  foreshadowing 
those  eminent  traits  of  character  which  were  developed 
by  the  stirring  scenes  of  his  after  years,  we  have  no  authen 
tic  records,  and  but  few  reliable  traditions.  To  use  the 
words  of  a  kind  correspondent,  and  a  talented  antiquarian 
of  Salem,* — to  whom  application  was  made  for  materials 
for  this  part  of  the  memoir — u  Putnam  migrated  from 
Massachusetts  more  than  a  century  ago,  while  he  was 
young  and  undistinguished.  His  neighbors  and  relatives 
were  employed  in  rural  pursuits,  and  while  he  dwelt  with 
them  they  did  not  regard  him  as  a  future  great  man — 
they  noticed  not  i  the  lambent  flame  on  the  crest  of 
Tullius.'" 

The  few  incidents,  relating  to  this  period  that  have  been 
preserved,  are  in  perfect  keeping  with  the  character  which 
he  exhibited  in  after  years.  The  same  fearless  daring, 
the  same  insensibility  to  danger,  the  same  generous,  manly 
disposition,  and  the  same  ready  good  humor,  which  made 
him  through  life  the  boon  companion  and  the  idol  of  his 
friends,  as  well  as  the  foremost  leader  in  all  kinds  of  adven 
ture.  Unfortunately,  we  have  nothing  of  his  school-boy 
days.  Schools,  especially  in  the  scattered  settlements  of 
the  country,  were  more  rare  at  that  period  than  now,  and 
the  advantages  of  education  difficult  to  be  obtained  by 
those  whose  circumstances  and  mode  of  life,  like  those  of 
our  hero,  demanded  the  unceasing  application  of  their 
energies  in  cultivating  the  soil.  The  want  of  those  advan- 

*  Benjamin  Merrill,  Esq. 


24        LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 

tages,  and  of  the  benefits  which  he  might  have  derived 
from  them,  was  sensibly  felt  in  all  his  subsequent  career. 
And  it  is  probable,  had  he  been  permitted,  at  the  close  of 
his  life,  to  address  the  youth  of  the  country,  or  to  leave  a 
legacy  of  caution  and  instruction  to  coming  generations, 
he  would  have  dwelt  much  and  strongly  upon  the  duty 
and  privilege  of  a  thorough  early  education.  He  would 
have  urged  the  young  to  neglect  no  opportunity  for  acquir 
ing  knowledge,  and  preparing  themselves,  not  only  to  win 
an  honorable  eminence  in  society,  and  adorn  it  when  won, 
but  to  enjoy  it  with  that  conscious  ease  and  self-reliance 
which,  to  an  ingenuous  mind,  constitutes  its  principal 
attraction. 

There  are  few  who  have  the  native  strength  of  character 
to  rise  above  the  inauspicious  circumstances  of  early  life, 
and  carve  out  their  own  fortunes,  by  the  mere  dint  of  their 
own  irrepressible  genius.  Putnam  was  one  of  the  few. 
The  times  in  which  he  lived  demanded  marked  and  strik 
ing  peculiarities  in  the  class  of  men,  whose  duty  it  was  to 
go  forward  and  "  guide  the  current  of  events."  And  it  is 
one  of  the  most  interesting  and  instructive  cases  of  the 
history  of  that  exciting  period,  to  notice  how  wonderfully 
its  leading  characters  were  fitted  for  the  crisis,  and  how 
wisely  and  kindly  the  various  "  gifts  "  required  for  the 
service  were  distributed  among  them. 

That  the  heroic  character  of  Putnam  was  inborn,  a  part 
of  his  very  nature,  and  not  the  result  of  temporary  excite 
ment,  or  a  transient  exhiliration  of  spirits,  will  appear  from 
the  following  anecdote,  which  is  related  of  his  boyish 
days.  It  exhibits  a  cool  serenity  and  self-possession  in 
times  of  great  peril,  which  are  of  inestimable  value  to  the 
leader  of  an  enterprise,  placing  him,  in  a  manner,  above  the 
vicissitudes  of  fortune,  and  making  him  the  master,  rather 
than  the  slave,  of  circumstance.  The  charge  of  cruelty, 


THE    BIRD'S    NEST,  25 

which  attaches  to  it,  must  be  set  down  to  the  score  of  the 
heedlessness  of  youth  ;  for  his  whole  subsequent  life 
shows  that  he  had  a  kind,  generous,  noble  heart,  keenly 
alive  to  the  sufferings  of  others,  and  ready,  almost  to  a 
fault,  even  to  aid  his  enemies.  Friends  and  foes  alike 
accord  him  this  praise. 

In  common  with  most  boys  in  the  same  situation  in  life, 
Putnam  found  great  amusement  in  "  bird's-nesting."  Like 
many  other  boys,  too,  whose  experience  has  not  been 
written,  he  found  it  a  very  hazardous  sport,  having  nearly 
lost  his  life  in  one  of  his  hair-brained  attempts  to  perpetrate 
this  species  of  heartless  piracy.  It  was  customary,  on 
these  occasions,  for  several  boys  to  go  out  in  company  ; 
but  Putnam  was  always  the  leader  of  the  band.  In  the 
case  referred  to,  they  had  discovered  a  fine  nest,  lodged  on 
a  frail  branch,  near  the  top  of  a  very  high  tree.  The  tree 
stood  apart  from  others,  and  was  difficult  to  climb.  The 
nest  was  so  far  out  of  the  way  that  it  could  not  be  reached 
by  a  pole,  or  any  other  contrivance,  which  they  could 
command.  The  only  possible  way,  therefore,  to  secure 
the  prize,  was  for  some  one  to  venture  upon  one  of  those 
frail  branches,  neither  of  which,  in  the  opinion  of  all  the 
party,  was  sufficient  to  sustain  the  weight  of  any  one  of 
their  number. 

Putnam  regarded  the  nest  and  the  limb  in  silence  for 
some  minutes.  At  length  he  said  : 

"  That  bird  has  some  of  the  qualities  of  a  good  soldier  ; 
she  has  selected  her  post  with  excellent  judgment,  and 
fortified  it  with  great  skill.  I'll  wager  there  is  not  a  boy 
within  ten  miles  that  can  reach  that  nest." 

No  one  was  disposed  to  accept  the  implied  challenge. 

They  were  about  quitting  the  spot  in  quest  of  some  more 

practicable  sport,  when  Putnam,  deliberately  taking  off  his 

jacket,  and  rolling  up  his  pantaloons  to  his  knees,  said, 

2 


26        LIFE   OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 

"  There's  nothing  like  trying,"  and  proceeded  to  climb  the 
tree. 

His  companions  used  their  utmost  eloquence  to  dissuade 
him  from  the  mad  attempt ;  but  all  to  no  purpose.  He 
never  flinched  from  any  undertaking  when  he  had  once 
made  up  his  mind  to  it.  The  tree  was  ascended,  and  the 
limb  gained,  nearest  to  that  which  held  the  nest.  It  seemed 
stouter  than  the  others.  The  daring  boy  placed  his  foot 
on  it  by  way  of  trial.  It  creaked  ominously  ;  while  the 
mother-bird,  with  a  shrill  cry,  abandoned  her  nest,  hover 
ing  anxiously  around,  and  uttering  many  a  touching  com 
plaint. 

Stepping  boldly  out  upon  the  limb,  it  bent  under  him. 
The  boys  below  warned  him  of  his  danger,  and  entreated 
him  not  to  venture  any  further.  Getting  down  upon  one 
knee,  he  reached  toward  the  nest,  but  before  he  could 
grasp  it  the  limb  cracked.  His  comrades  shouted  to  him 
to  come  down,  but  still  he  persevered.  His  fingers  touched 
the  wrished-for  prize.  In  his  eagerness  he  cried,  u  I've  got 
it — it  is  mine."  At  that  instant  the  limb  broke  quite  off, 
and  Putnam  fell ;  but  not  to  the  ground.  His  fall  was 
arrested  by  one  of  the  lower  branches  of  the  tree,  which 
caught  in  his  pantaloons,  and  held  him  suspended  in  mid 
air  with  his  head  downward. 

"Put,  are  you  hurt  ?"  inquired  one  of  the  boys. 

"  Not  hurt,"  answered  the  undaunted  heart,  u  but  sorely 
puzzled  how  to  get  down." 

"  We  cannot  cut  away  the  limb  for  you  because  wre 
have  no  knife." 

"  You  must  contrive   some    other  way   to  relieve  me 
then,  for  I  cannot  stay  here  till  you  get  one." 
A-  "  We  will  strike  a  light,  and  burn  the  tree  down." 

"  Ay  ;  and  smother  me  in  the  smoke.  That  will  not 
do." 


l€ 


Bird's  Nesting  —Putnam  suspended  in  tlie  Tree  —  Page  26 


HIS    COOLNESS      AND     INTREPIDITY.         27 

There  was  a  boy  named  Randall  in  the  group,  who  was 
noted  for  being  a  crack  marksman,  and  who  afterwards 
fought  bravely  at  Putnam's  side.  Fortunately,  he  seldom 
\vent  out  without  his  rifle,  and  had  it  with  him  on  this  oc 
casion. 

"  Jim  Randall,"  said  he,  "  there's  a  ball  in  your  rifle. " 

"  Yes." 

"  Do  you  see  that  small  limb  that  holds  me  here  ?" 

"I  do." 

"Fire  at  it.'* 

"  What  !  to  cut  you  down  ?" 

"  Of  course  ;  for  what  else  could  I  ask  it." 

"  But  I  might  hit  your  head,  perhaps." 

"  Shoot ;  better  blow  out  my  brains  at  once,  than  see  me 
die  here  by  hanging,  which  I  shall  certainly  do  in  fifteen 
minutes.  Sh^ot" 

"But  you  will  fall." 

"  Jim  Randall,  will  you  fire  ?" 

Randall  brought  his  rifle  to  his  shoulder.  Its  sharp 
crack  rang  through  the  forest — the  splinters  flew — and 
Putnam  fell  to  the  ground.  He  was  severely  bruised  by 
the  fall.  He  laughed  it  off*  however,  and  nothing  more 
\vas  thought  of  it. 

Not  many  days  after,  Putnam,  who  could  never  endure 
the  thought  of  being  defeated  in  an  enterprise,  returned 
alone  to  that  tree,  and  succeeded,  though  with  the  greatest 
difficulty,  in  securing  the  nest,  which  he  bore  away  in 
triumph  to  his  companions. 

Though  we  cannot  apologize  for  the  cruel  act  of  rob 
bing  a  harmless  bird  of  her  home  and  her  young,  nor  do 
otherwise  than  censure  the  fool-hardiness  of  the  boy,  who 
could  twice  put  his  life  at  hazard  for  such  a  prize,  we  can 
not  but  see  in  this  incident  the  germ  of  that  indomitable 
spiritj  which  was  so  often  displayed  amid  the  more  fearful 


28        LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 

perils  of  his  subsequent  career.  His  conduct,  while  sus 
pended  in  the  tree,  displays  the  same  coolness  and  self- 
possession,  and  the  same  promptness  of  action,  which  cha 
racterized  his  daring  leap  at  Horseneck,  and  his  perilous 
trip  down  the  rapids  of  the  Hudson. 

As  would  naturally  be  expected  from  those  traits  of 
character  which  have  already  been  exhibited,  Putnam  was 
eager  to  excel  in  all  the  manly  athletic  exercises,  which 
constitute  so  large  a  part  of  the  sports  of  a  country  village. 
In  running,  leaping,  wrestling,  pitching  the  bar,  and  in  feats 
of  horsemanship,  he  displayed  great  agility  and  physical 
power,  and  was  scarcely  ever  second  among  his  competi 
tors.  Even  in  the  labors  of  the  field  and  the  wood,  it 
was  his  early  ambition  to  do  the  part  of  a  man, .and  not  to 
be  outdone,  even  by  his  elders,  in  anything,  which  patient, 
persevering  toil  could  achieve. 

But  with  all  his  restless  activity,  and  his  fondness  for 
athletic  amusements,  he  never  loved  a  quarrel.  He  was 
not  easily  provoked.  His  disposition  was  frank,  generous 
and  confiding,  and  his  uniform  good  humor  often  preserved 
the  peace  among  his  more  inflammable  companions,  when, 
ELS  is  too  often  the  case,  the  heat  and  excitement  of  their 
game  began  to  wear  a  threatening  aspect,  and  parties  at 
play  to  assume  the  tone  and  bearing  of  combatants.  His 
wit  and  humor  gave  him  great  influence  on  such  occasions, 
and  he  always  employed  it  in  allaying  excitement,  and  har 
monizing  and  adjusting  difficulties.  It  seems  to  have  been 
his  principle,  that  a  man  should  never  fight  except  with  his 
enemy,  and  with  him  only  when  he  could  not  manage  him 
in  any  other  way. 

On  his  first  visit  to  Boston  he  was  rudely  assailed  in  the 
street  by  one  of  the  young  aristocrats  of  the  town,  who 
was  considerably  his  superior  both  in  age  and  size.  The 
coarse  homespun  dress  and  awkward  air  of  the  country 


HIS    FIRST     FIGHT  —  STORY     OF     CUDGE.     29 

boy,  as  he  sauntered  along,  gazing  into  the  shop-windows, 
and  wondering  at  the  number,  size  and  magnificence  of 
the  buildings,  excited  the  mirth  of  the  well-dressed  and 
self-important  city  boy,  whose  superior  education  did  not  re 
strain  him  from  showing  his  contempt  in  the  most  rude  and 
ungentlemanly  manner.  His  insults  were  borne  in  silence 
for  a  considerable  time.  At  length,  disgusted  and  exaspe 
rated  by  this  unprovoked  and  continued  abuse,  and  finding 
that  it  was  attracting  the  attention  of  the  people  who  were 
passing  in  the  streets,  he  turned  fiercely  upon  his  assailant, 
and  gave  him  so  complete  and  satisfactory  a  drubbing,  that 
he  was  glad  to  haul  down  his  colors,  and  beat  a  retreat, 
much  to  the  amusement  of  a  large  number  of  spectators, 
who  made  -a  ring  to  watch  the  issue  of  the  contest. 

At  that  period  there  were  slaves  in  all  the  colonies.  It 
is  true,  they  were  not  very  numerous  in  New  England. 
Still,  slavery  existed,  and  African  bond-men,  and  bond 
women,  and  bond-children,  were  found — tell  it  not  in 
Gath  ! — in  all  the  towns,  and  scattered  over  the  farming 
districts  of  Massachusetts.  It  fell  to  the  lot  of  one  of 
Putnam's  neighbors  to  have  one  of  these  slaves  in  his 
family,  who  was  noted  and  feared  for  his  fierce,  ungoverna 
ble  temper,  and  a  disposition  that  would  have  served  a 
savage  or  a  fiend.  There  seemed  to  be  no  way  to  subdue 
him  but  with  the  lash  ;  and  that,  though  often  repeated, 
was  far  from  being  as  effectual  as  could  have  been  wished. 

On  one  occasion,  when  Cudge  had  been  particularly 
unruly,  so  that  his  master  could  do  nothing  with  him,  he 
called  upon  Putnam  to  assist  him  in  administering  the 
proper  chastisement. 

"  Well,  neighbor,  what  do  you  propose  to  do  ?"  he 
inquired. 

"  I  intend  to  tie  him  up  in  the  barn,  and  give  him  such 
a  flogging  as  he  will  be  likely  to  remember." 


30        LIFE   OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 

"Very  well,"  replied  Putnam,  "  you  catch  him,  and  I 
will  tie  him  up.  You  can  then  do  what  you  please  with 
him." 

Accordingly,  the  exasperated  master  went  out  into  the 
field,  seized  Cudge,  and  brought  him  into  the  barn.  Put 
nam,  in  the  mean  time,  had  fastened  his  rope  to  a  beam, 
and  prepared  a  noose.  Cudge  resisted,  and  his  master 
was  obliged  to  exert  all  his  strength  to  hold  him.  In  this 
position,  Putnam  threw  the  noose  over  them  both,  so  as 
completely  to  secure  their  arms,  and  render  it  impossible 
for  them  to  help  themselves,  or  each  other,  drew  them  up 
together,  and  left  them  to  their  reflections. 

Going  coolly  into  the  house,  he  lighted  his  pipe,  sat 
down  and  smoked  it  out.  Then,  calling  to  the  mistress  of 
the  house,  he  proposed  to  her  to  go  out  with  him  and  see 
how  the  Captain  and  Cudge  were  getting  along. 

Arrived  at  the  barn,  the  good  woman  was  almost  thrown 
into  hysterics,  on  seeing  her  husband  bound  up  in  this 
manner  with  that  terrible  negro,  whom  she  feared  scarcely 
less  than  she  did  a  certain  other  character  in  black,  whose 
name  it  would  not  be  polite  to  mention,  and  of  whom  she 
regarded  Cudge  as  the  living  representative,  or  counter 
part,  After  a  little  persuasion,  and  some  words  of  stronger 
import,  Putnam  unbound  his  prisoners,  endeavoring  to 
pacify  the  now  doubly  enraged  master  by  assuring  him,  that, 
however  disagreeable  to  himself,  the  effect  upon  Cudge 
would  be  better  than  a  dozen  floggings. 

The  event  justified  the  assertion.  Cudge  was  so  delight 
ed  with  the  joke,  that  he  did  not  get  out  of  humor  for  a 
long  time  after.  At  the  same  time,  with  that  kind  of 
instinctive  regard  which  the  slave  naturally  feels  for  his 
master,  he  could  not  help  being  hurt  on  his  account.  His 
heart  was  softened.  He  was  more  respectful  and  more 
obedient  than  he  had  ever  been  before. 


THE     SLAVE     DISPOSED     OF.  31 

The  sequel  of  Cudge's  history  is  too  good  a  story  to  be 
lost ;  arid,  though  it  has  no  relation  to  the  subject  of  this 
memoir,  we  take  leave  to  preserve  it  here,  for  the  special 
benefit  of  those  peculiar  friends  of  Africa,  who  claim  for 
New  England  an  entire  freedom  from  the  plague-spot  of 
slavery,  and  from  any  participation  in  "  the  price  of 
blood." 

By  some  means,  his  mistress  had  grievously  offended 
the  negro.  He  became  so  enraged,  that  he  swore  he 
would  take  her  life  ;  and  neither  soothing  words,  nor 
threats,  had  any  effect  to  pacify  him.  The  family  was 
thrown  into  the  greatest  alarm,  knowing  that  his  temper 
was  of  that  ungovernably  savage  character  that  nothing 
would  restrain  him  from  indulging  it.  In  this  state  of 
things,  his  master  devised  a  plan  for  the  permanent  relief 
of  his  family.  Having  made  his  arrangements,  he  went 
out  into  the  field  with  his  hoe  in  his  hand,  and  said — 

".  Cudge,  you  have  had  rather  hot  work  getting  in  the 
potatoes." 

"  Yes,  massa,  hot  enough." 

"  Well,  I  am  going  to  give  you  a  play-day.  I  have 
sold  fifty  bushels,  to  be  delivered  on  board  a  vessel  at  the 
wharf  in  Salem,  and  if  you  would  like  it,  you  may  go  in 
with  the  load." 

"  Oh  !  yes,  massa  ;  like  it  very  well." 

"  You  may  have  the  whole  day,  Cudge.  You  can 
take  your  fiddle  with  you,  and  play  a  jig  for  the  sailors, 
and  so  get  a  few  coppers  for  yourself." 

Cudge  was  highly  pleased  with  the  proposal,  and  started 
off  in  great  glee. 

Having  unloaded  his  potatoes,  the  sailors,  who  had 
been  let  into  the  secret  and  received  their  instructions 
beforehand,  called  upon  Cudge  to  bring  out  his  fiddle  and 


32  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

play  them  a  jig,  that  they  might  have  one  merry  dance 
before  going  to  sea. 

The  negro  showed  his  teeth,  and  his  riddle  too  ;  and 
presently  the  deck  of  the  brig  was  as  merry  as  a  country 
ball-room  at  Thanksgiving.  Meanwhile,  the  dancers  were 
not  niggardly  in  "paying  the  piper."  The  coppers  fell 
on  this  side  and  that,  and  Cudge  was  somewhat  discon 
certed  in  his  measure,by  the  necessity  of  breaking  off  and 
running  after  them,  to  prevent  them  from  going  out  at  the 
scuppers.  Presently,  one  of  the  sailors  said — 

"  Cudge,  your  fiddle  is  getting  dry  ;  you  must  go  be 
low  and  rosin  your  bow."  This  was  another  phrase  for 
"  wetting  his  whistle,"  or  taking  a  dram. 

Cudge  took  the  hint  with  alacrity,  and  adjourned  with 
two  or  three  of  the  party  to  the  forecastle.  Here,  with 
drinking,  riddling,  singing  and  dancing,  two  or  three  hours 
passed  away,  and  Cudge  had  almost  filled  his  pockets 
with  coppers.  At  length,  starting  up,  as  from  a  dream,  he 
exclaimed  : 

"  Yah  !  I  must  go  up,  and  see  how  the  cattle  stand." 

He  went  up ;  but,  to  his  utter  amazement,  there  was 
neither  cattle  nor  cart  to  be  seen  ;  no,  nor  houses,  nor 
wharf.  The  brig  was  many  miles  out  at  sea,  and  Cudge 
was  bound  to  a  southern  clime,  where  slaves  could  be 
more  easily  managed  than  on  the  hardy  soil  of  New  Eng 
land.  He  went  to  the  same  market  with  his  potatoes, 
and  wras  sold  for  the  samp  account. 


CHAPTER    II. 

PUTNAM'S  MARRIAGE  AND  SETTLEMENT  IN  CONNECTICUT. 

His  marriage — Removes  to  Pomfret — His  prosperity  as  a  farmer — 
His  operations  as  a  wool-grower— Ravages  in  his  sheep-folds— 
The  veteran  she-wolf — Her  annual  visits  to  Pomfret — Her  exten 
sive  operations  there — Combination  against  her — The  pursuit — • 
Tracked  home  to  her  den — Attempts  to  smoke  her  out — Putnam 
descends  into  the  cave — Description  of  the  passage — His  sudden 
exit — Returns  with  his  gun — Despatches  his  enemy — Returns  the 
third  time  and  drags  her  out — Triumphant  procession — Reception 
in  the  village — Exaggerated  versions  of  the  story. 

IN  1739,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  Mr.  Putnam  was 
married  to  Miss  Hannah  Pope,  daughter  of  Mr.  John  Pope, 
of  Salem,  by  whom  he  had  ten  children,  four  sons  and  six 
daughters.  The  following  year  he  removed  from  his  na 
tive  place,  and  settled  upon  a  tract  of  land  which  he  had 
purchased  in  Pomfret,  in  Connecticut.  This  is  an  inland 
town  in  Windham  County,  thirty-six  miles  east  of  Hart 
ford,  and  situated  on  the  Quinnebaug,  or  Mohegan  river, 
one  of  the  tributaries  of  the  Thames.  It  is  blessed  with  a 
good  soil,  and  all  the  ordinary  requisites  for  a  thrifty  and 
successful  husbandry. 

In  those  days  of  comparative  simplicity,  the  expenses 
of  living,  particularly  in  the  farming  districts,  were  very 
moderate,  and  easily  acquired.  Few  of  the  costly  luxu 
ries  of  the  present  day  were  known.  The  hard  and  bur 
densome  yoke  of  European  fashion,  which  grinds  so  many 
of  us  into  the  dust,  was  not  then  laid  upon  the  colonies 


34  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

It  is  a  singular  anomaly  in  the  history  of  Independent 
America,  that  she  wears,  without  complaint,  the  fetters  of 
a  voluntary  slavery,  ten  times  more  expensive  and  burden 
some  than  that  which  roused  the  dependent  colonies  to 
resistance,  and  severed  for  ever  the  bonds  which  had  so 
long  united  them  to  the  mother-country.  Our  good  old 
fathers  and  mothers,  particularly  those  who  maintained  the 
independent  life  of  cultivators  of  the  soil,  would  have 
scorned  the  servile  imitation  of  the  multitude  in  our  day. 
They  would  have  deemed  it  the  extreme  of  folly  to  sacri 
fice  one  real  comfort  to  the  mere  outside  show  of  equality 
to  the  rich  and  the  great. 

With  these  simple,  unaffected  tastes,  and  no  merely 
artificial  wants  to  drain  off  all  the  fruits  of  their  toil,  the 
industrious  and  skilful  were  almost  sure  of  success.  This 
wras  the  issue  of  Mr.  Putnam's  labors  upon  his  new  farm. 
A  very  few  years  found  him  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  com 
fortable  and  substantial  home  ;  his  clearings  well  fenced 
and  cultivated  ;  his  pastures  handsomely  stocked  ;  and  his 
entire  establishment,  with  one  exception,  in  the  full  tide 
of  prosperous  increase.  This  exception,  as  it  serves  to 
illustrate  the  heroic  and  independent  character  of  our  sub 
ject,  and  furnishes  the  explanation  of  one  of  the  peculiar 
sobriquets,  by  which  he  was  often  distinguished  among 
his  military  comrades  in  after  life,  deserves  particular 
notice. 

Mr.  Putnam's  pastures  were  well  adapted  to  the  culti 
vation  of  sheep.  With  his  usual  promptness  he  availed 
himself  of  this  facility  to  carry  on  quite  an  extensive  busi 
ness  in  wool.  His  flocks  were  numerous  and  thrifty,  and 
he  prided  himself  not  a  little  in  having  as  extensive  folds, 
and  as  good  fleeces,  as  any  in  New  England.  He  was, 
therefore,  particularly  nettled  when  this  part  of  his  exten 
sive  establishment  was  selected  as  the  object  of  nightly 


T  H  E      W  O  L  F  .  35 

ravages,  by  some  of  the  farmers'  enemies,  that  were 
prowling-  about  in  that  region.  His  fields  had  suffered 
occasionally  from  drought  in  summer,  and  mildew  in  har 
vest.  The  severity  of  the  winter  had  carried  off  some  of 
his  cattle.  But  these  inroads  upon  his  folds  had  come  to 
be  exacted  as  an  annual  tribute,  and  were  quite  too  severe 
to  be  tolerated.  His  losses  were  very  great,  so  much  so 
as  to  threaten  the  entire  destruction  of  that  department  of 
his  business.  All  this  havoc  appeared  to  have  been  com 
mitted  by  one  she-wolf,  and  her  annual  whelps  ;  though 
it  is  not  improbable  they  were  sometimes  accompanied  by 
a  stronger  force.  The  young  were  usually  destroyed  in 
the  course  of  the  season  by  the  vigilance  of  the  hunters 
and  their  dogs  ;  but  the  old  one  was  too  sagacious  to 
allow  herself  to  be  caught,  or  even  to  be  seen.  She  had 
once  unwarily  set  her  foot  in  a  trap  that  was  laid  for  her, 
but  had  escaped  by  leaving  her  toes  behind.  When  too 
closely  pursued  to  carry  on  her  depredations  any  longer 
with  safety,  she  would  abandon  the  vicinity  altogether  for 
the  season.  But  she  invariably  returned  the  ensuing 
winter,  with  another  family  of  hungry  whelps  to  feed. 

Mr.  Putnam  was  not  the  only  sufferer  by  these  annual 
visits  of  the  wolf.  His  neighbors,  all  around,  shared  in 
his  losses,  though  none  of  them  were  quite  as  heavily 
taxed  as  he.  At  length,  finding  the  nuisance  intolerable, 
he  entered  into  a  combination  with  five  of  his  neighbors  to 
watch  and  hunt  alternately,  and  never  abandon  the  pursuit 
till  she  was  destroyed.  Two  of  them,  by  turns,  were  to 
keep  on  her  track  until  she  was  overtaken,  or  driven  home 
to  her  den.  Commencing  the  pursuit  immediately  after  a 
light  fall  of  snow,  in  the  opening  of  winter,  they  were  soon 
on  a  trail  that  could  not  be  mistaken.  The  accident  of 
the  steel  trap  had  made  one  foot  much  shorter  than  its 
mate,  so  that  the  fugitive  robber  made  her  mark  as  she 


36        LIFE  OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 

went.  In  this  manner  she  was  pursued  over  hill  and 
valley,  through  forest,  and  brake,  and  swamp,  to  the  bank 
of  the  Connecticut  river.  Arrested  in  her  flight  here,  she 
turned  back  in  a  direct  course  for  Pomfret,  with  the  hunt 
ers  in  close  and  vigilant  chase.  Early  in  the  morning, 
the  day  after  their  return,  they  had  driven  her  into  a  den, 
about  three  miles  from  the  house  of  Mr.  Putnam.  Here 
she  was  carefully  guarded,  till  a  large  company  of  men 
and  boys  had  assembled,  with  dogs,  guns,  straw  and  sul 
phur,  prepared  to  finish  the  work  which  had  been  so  well 
begun,  by  inflicting  summary  vengeance  upon  the  common 
enemy. 

It  was  a  scene  of  general  interest  and  excitement.  Rare 
sport  was  expected  by  some  of  the  younger  and  less  expe 
rienced.  It  was  soon  found,  however,  that  the  enemy 
had  chosen  her  retreat  with  good  judgment ;  and  was  pre 
pared,  not  only  to  stand  an  obstinate  siege,  but  to  defend 
herself  with  a  fierceness  and  bravery  that  were  quite  appal 
ling.  Some  of  the  hounds,  who  had  become  heated  in 
the  chase,  ventured  into  her  fastness,  but  soon  retreated, 
yelping  bitterly  and  covered  with  wounds.  And  no  ur 
gency  could  induce  them  to  return  to  the  charge. 

It  was  now  attempted  to  smoke  her  out.  The  mouth 
of  the  cave  was  filled  with  straw.  The  torch  was  applied. 
The  smoke  rolled  up  in  heavy  volumes,  and  filled  every 
crevice  of  the  cave  ;  but  the  wolf  came  not  forth.  She 
seemed  resolved  to  die  where  she  was,  rather  than  suffer 
herself  to  be  taken,  or  face  the  weapons  of  such  a  company 
of  exasperated  foes.  The  fumes  of  sulphur  produced  no 
better  effect.  It  is  probable,  indeed,  that  the  imprisoned 
animal  was  not  so  much  annoyed  by  them  as  her  tormen 
tors  supposed.  There  may  have  been  some  fissure  by 
which  they  escaped,  without  finding  their  way  into  the 
inner  recess  of  the  cavern  where  the  wolf  was. 


HE      ENTERS      THE      WOLF's      DEN.  37 

In  these  fruitless  efforts  to  dislodge  her,  the  time  had 
flown  by,  till  it  now  wanted  only  two  hours  of  midnight. 
It  was  clear  that  something  more  effectual  must  be  done, 
or  all  their  labor  would  be  lost.  Another  effort  was  made 
to  induce  the  dogs  to  go  in,  but  without  success.  They 
had  had  enough  of  that  sport  already,  and  would  not  budge 
an  inch.  Mr.  Putnam  then  proposed  to  his  servant  to 
take  a  torch  and  a  gun,  and  descend  into  the  cavern  and 
shoot  the  wolf.  As  his  master  doubtless  expected,  he 
declined  the  honor  of  so  hazardous  an  enterprise.  Find 
ing  no  one  in  the  company  who  was  willing  to  attempt 
the  perilous  descent,  and  declaring  he  was  ashamed  to 
have  a  coward  in  his  family,  he  resolved  at  once  to  go  in 
himself,  and  put  a  certain  end  to  the  ravager  of  his  flocks, 
lest  she  should  escape  by  some  unknown  passage,  and 
become  once  more  the  scourge  of  the  country. 

His  neighbors  remonstrated  against  so  mad  an  exposure 
of  his  life,  but  in  vain.  He  wras  bent  on  accomplishing, 
that  very  night,  the  death  of  his  victim.  He  knew  that 
all  wild  animals  have  instinctive  dread  of  fire.  He,  accord 
ingly,  provided  himself  with  a  quantity  of  birch-bark, 
which  he  tore  into  strips  convenient  for  use — these  being 
the  only  torches  which  he  could  then  command.  Thus 
provided,  he  stripped  off  his  coat  and  waistcoat,  lighted 
one  of  his  torches,  and  crawling  on  his  hands  and  knees, 
without  any  weapon  in  his  hand,  commenced  the  bold 
descent. 

"  The  aperture  of  the  den.  on  the  east  side  of  a  very  high 
ledge  of  rocks,  is  about  two  feet  square  ;  from  thence  it 
descends  obliquely  fifteen  feet ;  then,  running  horizontally 
about  ten  feet  more,  it  ascends  gradually  sixteen  feet 
towards  its  termination.  The  sides  of  this  subterranean 
cavity  are  composed  of  smooth  and  solid  rocks,  which 
seem  to  have  been  divided  from  each  other  by  some  for- 


38        LIFE  OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 

mer  earthquake.  The  top  and  bottom  are  also  of  stone, 
and  the  entrance,  in  winter  being  covered  with  ice,  is  ex 
ceedingly  slippery.  It  is  in  no  place  high  enough  for  a 
man  to  raise  himself  upright,  nor  in  any  place  more  than 
three  feet  in  width. 

"  Having  groped  his  passage  to  the  horizontal  part  of 
the  den,  the  most  terrifying  darkness  appeared  in  front  of 
the  dim  circle  of  light  afforded  by  his  torch.  It  was  silent 
as  the  house  of  death.  None  but  monsters  of  the  desert 
had  ever  before  explored  this  solitary  mansion  of  horror." 
It  required  no  slight  care  and  presence  of  mind,  to  keep 
alive  the  flame  by  which  his  course  was  guided.  Though 
creeping  on  all  fours,  he  was  obliged  several  times  to  pause 
and  renew  his  torch,  at  the  imminent  hazard,  each  time,  of 
being  left  in  utter  darkness  in  the  depths  of  the  cave. 
"  Cautiously  proceeding  onward,  he  came  to  the  ascent, 
which  he  slowly  mounted  on  his  hands  and  knees,  until  he 
discovered  the  glaring  eye-balls  of  the  wolf,  who  was  sit 
ting  at  the  extremity  of  the  cavern.  Startled  at  the  sight 
of  fire,  she  gnashed  her  teeth,  and  gave  a  sullen  growl." 
Having  fully  reconnoitered  the  position  of  the  enemy,  and 
formed  his  plan  of  attack,  the  bold  scout  gave  a  hearty 
kick  upon  the  rope,  which,  by  way  of  precaution,  had  been 
secured  around  one  of  his  legs.  His  friends,  who  were 
waiting  in  breathless  suspense  and  anxiety  at  the  mouth  of 
the  den,  hearing  the  fierce  growl  of  the  wolf,  which  showed 
that  she  was  yet  unhurt,  and  supposing  that  Mr.  Putnam 
must  be  in  imminent  danger,  responded  vigorously  to  the 
concerted  signal,  dragging  him  forth  with  such  violence, 
**  that  his  shirt  was  stripped  over  his  head,  and  his  skin 
severely  lacerated." 

Having  adjusted  his  clothes,  and  loaded  his  gun,  he  took 
another  handful  of  torches,  and  descended  a  second  time 
into  the  narrow  cave.  Encumbered  with  his  musket,  this 


it/  J 


RETURNS      IN      TRIUMPH  39 

descent  was  much  more  difficult  than  the  first,  though, 
armed  as  he  was,  and  somewhat  familiar  with  the  bearings 
and  distances  of  his  journey,  and  the  position  of  his  foe,  it 
was  certainly  much  more  safe  and  agreeable.  As  he  ap 
proached  the  object  of  his  pursuit  somewhat  nearer  than 
before,  she  manifested  the  most  decided  symptoms  of  un 
easiness  at  his  presence.  Her  appearance  was  exceedingly 
fierce  and  terrible  ;  "  howling,  rolling  her  eyes,  snapping 
her  teeth,  and  dropping  her  head  between  her  legs,  she 
was  evidently  in  the  attitude,  and  on  the  point,  of  springing 
at  her  assailant.  At  that  critical  moment  he  levelled  his 
piece,  aiming  directly  at  her  head,  and  fired.  Stunned 
with  the  shock,  and  suffocated  with  the  smoke  of  the  pow 
der,  he  immediately  found  himself  drawn  out  of  the  cave," 
though  somewhat  more  gently  than  on  the  former  occa 
sion. 

Having  refreshed  himself  a  few  moments  in  the  open 
air,  and  given  time  for  the  smoke  to  clear  away  from  the 
long  passages  of  the  cavern,  he  went  down  the  third  time 
to  secure  and  bring  away  his  prize.  His  shot  had  taken 
good  effect.  The  animal  lay  stretched  on  the  floor  of  her 
inner  chamber,  weltering  in  her  blood.  Applying  his 
torch  to  her  nose,  and  finding  her  perfectly  insensible,  he 
seized  her  by  the  ears  ;  and,  giving  the  usual  signal  to  his 
friends  without,  by  kicking  the  rope,  was  drawn  heavily, 
but  exuliingly  out,  dragging  his  victim  after  him. 

On  emerging  into  the  air,  and  bringing  out,  amid  the  fit 
ful  glare  of  a  score  or  two  of  torches,  that  fearful  creature, 
that  had  so  long  been  the  terror  and  scourge  of  their  fields, 
he  was  received  with  such  a  shout  as  made  the  old  woods 
of  Pomfret  ring  again.  Its  echoes  reverberated  along  the 
valley,  and  reached  the  wakeful  ears  of  the  anxious  wives 
and  mothers,  whose  fears,  increasing  as  the  midnight  hour 
approached,  had  led  many  of  them  more  than  once  to  ex- 


40        LIFE   OF  GENERAL   PUTNAM. 

claim,  "  I  wish  they  would  leave  the  old  wclf  alone.  I 
would  rather  lose  every  sheep  in  the  fold,  than  have  my 
husband  or  child  brought  home  dead  or  wounded." 

The  nature  of  that  shout  could  not  be  mistaken,  even  by 
a  woman.  It  hushed  all  their  fears  in  a  moment ;  and 
when,  some  half  an  hour  after,  the  party  was  seen  winding 
down  tbe  valley,  with  flaming  torches,  escorting  the  victor 
in  triumph  to  his  home,  with  the  trophy  of  his  daring  valor 
borne  on  a  sort  of  litter  on  the  shoulder  of  the  larger  boys, 
who  claimed  the  honor  as  their  perquisite  for  keeping 
awake  so  long — the  tables  were  all  laid,  and  a  generous 
hot  supper  provided  for  all  the  volunteers  in  that  cold  mid 
night  campaign. 

Mr.  Putnam's  frank,  open,  agreeable  manners,  his  gene 
rous  spirit  and  uniform  good  humor,  had  already  secured 
him  the  good  will  of  all  his  neighbors  ;  while  his  activity, 
enterprise,  good  sense  and  sterling  integrity  of  character  had 
won  for  him  their  entire  esteem  and  regard.  He  now  be 
came,  as  will  naturally  be  supposed,  the  hero  of  the  village 
and  the  surrounding  country.  The  story  of  his  daring  ex 
ploit  with  the  wolf  travelled  far  and  wide,  and  received 
many  poetical  embellishments,  in  the  course  of  its  travels. 
In  some  cases  the  dimensions  of  the  cave,  and  the  difficulty 
of  access  to  it,  formidable  as  it  really  was,  were  greatly 
exasperated.  In  some,  the  den  was  full  of  wolves,  as 

OO  '  ' 

that  of  Daniel  was  of  lions  ;  while  one  version  repre 
sented  the  hero,  like  Samson  or  David,  as  entering  her 
hold  unarmed,  seizing  the  wolf,  and  strangling  her  in  his 
arms.  Another  substituted  a  bear  and  two  cubs  for  the 
wolf,  and  represented  the,  bear  as  going  off  with  Putnam's 
sow  in  her  mouth,  while  he  pursued  her  with  a  club,  de 
scending  into  the  den,  and  destroying  the  whole  family 
without  the  assistance  of  any  other  person.  The  story, 
with  all  its  exaggerations,  found  its  way  into  the  papers 


THE      UNRULY      BULL.  41| 

and  journals  of  England  and  France,  so  that  Putnam  came 
to  be  familiarly  known  abroad  as  "  the  old  wolf."  This 
was  a  common  designation  among  his  fellow-officers  during 
"  the  seven  years'  war." 

The  description  of  the  cave,  given  above,  is  in  every 
particular  accurate  and  exact,  and  was  no  doubt  the  result 
of  actual  measurement  on  the  part  of  Colonel  Humphreys 

Mr.  Putnam  was  a  man  of  great  personal  strength,  as 
well  as  courage.  His  frame  was  large  and  athletic.  His 
motions  were  rapid,  nervous  and  impulsive.  And  though 
he  seldom  undertook  what  he  did  not  successfully  accom 
plish,  it  often  seemed  as  if  he  rushed  to  an  act  without 
thought,  and  achieved  it  without  a  purpose.  The  truth 
was,  that  the  movements  of  his  mind  were  as  nervous  and 
impulsive  as  those  of  his  body.  His  perceptions  were 
quick  and  accurate,  and  he  jumped  to  conclusions  at  which 
other  men  would  arrive  by  slow  and  careful  inquiry.  This 
was  the  true  secret  of  his  successful  darin^.  It  was  not 

O 

thoughtlessness,  but,  an  instantaneous  perception  of  all  the 
bearings  of  his  position,  and  a  consequent  calmness  and 
self-possession  which  made  him  master  of  circumstances, 
over  which  other  and  less  active  minds  would  have  had 
no  control. 

An  incident  is  related  of  him  at  this  period,  which, 
though  it  may  seem  too  trifling  of  itself  to  be  preserved, 
will  illustrate  this  peculiar  impulsiveness,  at  the  same 
time  that  it  affords  a  striking  proof  of  his  uncommon 
strength.  He  had  among  his  cattle  a  very  fine  bull,  whom 
he  valued  highly  for  his  noble  proportions  and  great 
strength,  but  whose  fierce,  unruly  temper  made  him  the 
terror  of  the  whole  neighborhood.  Corning  up  to  him  in 
the  pasture  one  day,  when  he  had  been  peculiarly  savage 
and  ugly,  he  suddenly  seized  him  by  the  tail  and  twisting 
it  round  a  small  tree,  held  him  fast,  while  he  3 d ministered 


•42  LIFE     OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

a  severe  and  effectual  chastisement  with  an  ox  goad. 
The  furious  animal  bellowed  and  tore  the  ground  in  his 
rage,  but  it  was  of  no  avail.  The  rod  was  laid  on  with 
such  determined  energy  and  good  will,  that  every  stroke 
had  its  desired  effect,  while  the  strong  arm  that  held  him 
gave  him  no  chance  of  escape.  From  that  time  he  was 
master  of  the  bull,  and  had  only  to  show  the  rod  in  his 
hand,  to  make  him  comparatively  quiet  and  submissive. 

The  untiring  industry  and  prudent  husbandry  of  Mr. 
Putnam,  during  the  ten  or  twelve  years  that  intervened 
before  the  breaking  out  of  the  French  War,  placed  his 
affairs  on  a  very  sound  basis,  and  secured  for  him  a  com 
fortable  independence  for  life.  And  when  he  was  after 
wards  called  to  engage  in  the  active  service  of  his  country, 
in  the  camp  and  the  field,  and  to  undergo  the  hardships 
and  privations  of  war,  he  had  the  satisfaction  of  leaving 
his  family  well  provided  for,  and  having  a  quiet  retreat  to 
fall  back  upon,  whenever  the  fortunes  of  war  should  either 
compel  or  permit  him  to  retire.  In  this  respect,  he  was 
more  favorably  situated  than  many  of  his  compeers,  who, 
in  hazarding  their  lives  for  a  cause  which  was  too  poor 
to  reward  them  for  their  services,  sacrificed  their  all,  and 
returned,  when  their  liberties  were  achieved,  to  wear 
away  the  evening  of  their  days  amid  the  cares  and  priva 
tions  of  poverty,  as  broken  in  fortune  as  in  physical  con 
stitution. 


LAKE  GEORGE 


_ASI>  Tilt 

•  T.EDWARD  ADJACENT  FORTS. 


CHAPTER    III. 

THE    FRENCH    WAR.       PUTNAM'S    FIRST    CAMPAIGN. 

Mr.  Putnam's  general  popularity — Receives  a  Captain's  commission 
under  General  Lyman — His  company — Generally  employed  as 
rangers  and  scouts — Nature  and  difficulty  of  that  service — Inaus 
picious  commencement  of  the  war — Sir  William  Johnson's  success 
ful  expedition — Its  object  and  plan — Fortifications — Position  of. 
the  French  at  Tinconderoga— They  attempt  to  arrest  the  English 
works — Dieskau  marches  upon  Fort  Edward — Changes  his  course 
towards  Lake  George — Encounters  Colonel  Williams — The  battle 
— Hendricks,  the  Mohawk  chief— Williams  and  Hendricks  slain 
— The  retreat — The  assault  upon  Johnson's  camp — Repelled — 
— Dieskau  a  prisoner — The  pursuit — Captain  McGinnes — Joseph 
Brant — Fort  William  Henry  built — Captain  Rogers — His  Journal 
— Its  omissions — His  character  and  subsequent  history — Goes  on  a 
scou^with  Putnam — Rogers  in  imminent  danger — Rescued  by 
Putnam — Army  in  winter  quarters — Putnam  returns  to  his  family. 

THE  fearless  courage,  the  generous  and  ready  benevolence, 
and  the  open,  frank,  confiding  manner  of  Mr.  Putnam,  won 
the  admiration  and  regard  of  all  who  knew  him.  His 
early  popularity  was  remarkable  ;  and  so  enduring  was  it, 
that  the  few  individuals  who  have  assumed  the  ungracious 
office  of  detracting  from  his  well-earned  fame,  have  been 
compelled  to  admit  the  fact,  while  they  deny  him  every 
pretension  to  that  distinguished  merit  on  which  it  should 
have  been  founded. 

So  great  was  his  reputation,  however  accounted  for, 
that,  without  any  previous  military  experience,  he  was 
appointed  to  a  captaincy,  in  the  regiment  of  Connecticut 


44  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

provincials,  on  the  breaking  out  of  the  French  War.  He 
found  no  difficulty  in  beating  up  recruits.  His  personal 
friends  and  admirers  flocked  to  his  standard,  and  his  com 
pany  was  soon  complete. — A  company,  not  of  vagabonds 
and  bar-room  adventurers,  who  follow  the  beat  of  a  drum 
for  the  rations  which  it  promises  without  the  drudgery  of 
daily  toil — but  of  hardy,  industrious,  respectable  young 
men,  the  very  flower  of  the  yeomanry  of  Connecticut. 
None  of  them  had  been  educated  in  the  use  of  arms,  or 
the  evolutions  of  the  camp  and  the  battle-field.  They  had 
bold  hearts  and  strong  arms,  and  a  confidence  in  their 
leader  that  made  the  service  light. 

The  regiment,  of  which  this  company  composed  a  part, 
was  commanded  by  General  Lyman.  Putnam's  command, 
however,  was  so  often  detached  on  special  and  peculiar 
service,  that  it  held,  during  all  the  war,  rather  the  position 
of  an  independent  corps,  than  that  of  a  limb  of  the  army. 
Though  not  specifically  drafted  as  Rangers,  nor  organized 
under  that  distinctive  name,  the  duty  assigned  to  it,  and 
performed  by  it,  \vas  of  that  hardy,  bold,  adventurous  cha 
racter,  which  is  usually  rendered  by  that  portion  of  a  well 
appointed  army.  It  was  a  service  to  which  the  genius  of 
Putnam  was  peculiarly  adapted.  He  delighted  in  scenes 
of  daring  excitement.  He  revelled  in  adventure.  The 
ordinary  monotony  of  camp  duty  would  have  been  insup- 
poptably  irksome.  Tn  the  active  and  perilous  duty  of 
reconnoitering  the  enemy's  posts,  surprising  their  pickets, 
cutting  off  or  capturing  detached  parties,  waylaying  eon- 
voys  of  provisions,  destroying  barracks  and  batteaux,  and 
making  prisoners,  he  found  ample  employment  for  his 
spirit  of  restless  enterprise,  as  well  as  ample-  scope  for  that 
fruitfulness  of  invention  and  stratagem  for  which  he  was 
distinguished. 

Never,  perhaps,  was  there  a  war  between  two  civilized 


COMMENCEMENT     OF     THE     FRENCH     WAR.     45 

nations  in  which  this  peculiar  kind  of  service  was  so  indis 
pensable,  or  where  it  was  attended  with  so  great  and  fear 
ful  hazards,  as  this,  in  which  the  English  and  French  con 
tended  for  the  mastery  in  the  Western  Continent.  The 
Indian  tribes  were  nearly  all  enlisted  on  the  side  of  the 
French.  The  mountains,  the  forests,  the  river  banks, 
the  shores  and  inlets  of  the  lakes,  were  infested  with 
straggling  parties  of  these  ruthless  marauders,  whose 
stealthy  movements  and  peculiar  mode  of  attack,  rendered 
them  far  more  formidable  and  annoying  than  many  times 
their  number  of  ordinary  soldiers.  Skulking  in  every 
thicket,  and  prowling  in  the  outskirts  of  every  wood,  they 
were  ever  ready  to  spring  upon  the  foe  ;  who  oftener  fell 
by  an  unseen  hand,  than  by  an  open  enemy,  against  whom 
they  might  defend  themselves,  either  by  skilful  manoeuvre 
or  the  prowess  of  their  arms.  To  contend  with  the  diffi 
culties  of  such  a  service,  and  render  effective  aid  in  its 
prosecution,  the  utmost  coolness,  prudence,  sagacity  and 
watchfulness,  as  well  as  fertility  and  readiness  of  resource, 
and  promptness  of  action,  were  demanded.  Bold,  resolute, 
unflinching  hearts,  and  hands  that  could  almost  anticipate 
the  prompiings  of  the  will,  were  requisite  to  any  degree 
of  success. 

The  war  commenced  in  earnest  in  1755,  with  the  unfor 
tunate  expedition  of  General  Braddock  against  Fort  Du-~ 
quesne  ;  the  fruitless  one  of  General  Shirley  against  Fort 
Niagara  ;  and  the  brilliant  victory  of  Sir  William  Johnson 
over  the  Baron  Dieskau,  at  Fort  Edward,  on  Lake  George. 
It  was  in  this  last  and  successful  expedition,  that  Captain 
Putnam  entered  upon  that  great  theatre  of  honorable  strife 
and  hazardous  adventure,  where  he  won  those  enduring 
laurels,  which  link  his  name  with  the  noblest  and  worthiest 
of  our  country. 

The   object  of   this   expedition  was  to  reduce   Crown 


46         LIFE   OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 

Point,  and  drive  the  French  from  their  strong  holds  in  and 
about  Lake  Champlain.  It  originated  in  Massachusetts, 
and  was  to  be  executed  by  the  colonial  troops  of  New 
England  and  New  York, — General  William  Johnson, a  lead 
ing  member  of  the  council  of  the  latter  colony,  being  placed 
in  command.  The  troops  from  the  different  sections  were  to 
rendezvous  at  Albany.  The  greater  part  of  them  arrived 
at  that  place  before  the  end  of  June  ;  but  the  artillery, 
bateaux,  provisions,  and  other  necessaries  for  the  expedi 
tion  could  not  be  prepared  till  the  8th  of  August,  at  which 
time  the  army  took  up  its  line  of  march  for  the  carrying 
place,  between  the  Hudson  and  Lake  George.  General 
Lyman  was  already  there,  and  had  commenced  the  erec 
tion  of  a  fortification,  which  was  first  called  Fort  Lyman, 
and  afterward  changed  to  Fort  Edward. 

Toward  the  end  of  August,  the  main  body  moved  for 
ward,  and  encamped  near  the  southern  extremity  of  Lake 
George — to  which  the  French  had  given  the  name  of  Lake 
St.  Sacrament.  Here  it  was  ascertained,  by  means  of 
some  Indian  scouts,  who  had  been  sent  out  to  gather  intel 
ligence,  that  a  considerable  party  of  French  and  Indians 
were  stationed  at  Ticonderoga,  on  the  isthmus  between 
the  north  end  of  Lake  George,  and  the  southern  part  of 
Lake  Champlain,  about  fifteen  miles  below  Crown  Point. 
Their  position  was  admirably  selected,  as  was  proved  in 
the  subsequent  history  of  the  war, 'when  it  became  a  place 
of  great  strength  and  importance.  But  as  yet,  no  defences 
were  thrown  up.  Johnson  was  impatient  to  bring  up  his 
bateaux  and  artillery,  intending  to  proceed  with  part  of  his 
force  and  seize  that  important  pass.  In  the  meantime,  the 
French  furnished  him  with  sufficient  employment  at  his 
own  camp. 

Baron  Dieskau  was  in  command  of  the  French  forces. 
He  had  just  received  intelligence  of  the  commencement  of 


BATTLE   OF   LAKE   GEORGE.         47 

the  works  at  the  carrying  place  by  General  Lyman,  and 
resolved  to  give  him  battle  before  his  entrenchments  were 
completed  ;  intending,  if  successful,  to  desolate  the  north 
ern  settlements,  lay  Albany  and  Schenectady  in  ashes,  and 
cut  off  all  communications  with  Oswego,  and  the  northern 
lakes.  With  this  design,  he  embarked  at  Crown  Point 
with  two  thousand  men  ;  and,  landing  at  South  Bay,  pro 
ceeded  toward  Fort  Edward.  The  troops  were  ignorant 
of  his  purpose  of  attack  until  they  arrived  within  two  miles 
of  the  fort.  Then,  finding  the  Canadians  and  Indians 
unwilling  to  face  the  English  cannon,  he  suddenly  changed 
his  route,  and  moved  rapidly  northward,  hoping  to  sur 
prise  the  camp  at  St.  Sacrament,  or  Lake  George. 

In  the  meantime,  General  Johnson — being  apprised  by 
his  scouts  of  the  movements  of  the  French  Baron — sent 
messengers  to  Fort  Edward  to  warn  General  Lyman  of 
his  approach.  One  of  these  was  intercepted  and  killed. 
The  others  soon  returned  with  the  intelligence  that  they 
had  descried  the  enemy  about  four  miles  northward  of  the 
fort. 

It  was  now  the  Sth  of  September.  A  council  of  war 
was  immediately  called,  in  which  it  was  resolved  to  send 
out  a  detachment,  to  intercept  the  enemy  on  his  return. 
Hendricks,  the  celebrated  Mohawk  chief,  was  present  at 
this  council.  When  the  number  proposed  to  be  sent  out 
was  mentioned  to  him,  he  replied :  "  If  they  are  to  fight 
they  are  too  few  ;  if  they  are  to  be  killed  they  are  too 
many."  It  was  then  suggested  to  send  out  a  larger  de 
tachment,  in  three  separate  parties.  Hendricks  took  three 
sticks,  and  said  :  "  Put  these  together,  and  you  cannot 
break  them  ;  take  them  one  by  one,  and  you  may  do  it 
easily."  The  Mohawk's  advice  was  taken  ;  and  victory, 
though  dearly  bought,  was  the  result. 

The  detachment  was  placed  under  the   command  of 


48  LIFE     OF      GENERAL      P  U  T  N  A  M  . 

Colonel  Ephraim  Williams,  a  brave  officer,  who,  at  the 
head  of  one  thousand  provincials,  with  about  two  hundred 
Indians,  met  the  Baron  nearly  four  miles  from  the  camp. 
That  able  commander,  apprised  of  their  approach,  made 
an  advantageous  disposition  of  his  men  to  receive  them. 
Keeping  the  main  body  of  the  regulars  with  him  in  the 
centre,  he  ordered  the  Canadians  and  Indians  to  advance 
on  the  rigljt  and  left,  in  the  woods,  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
enclose  their  enemy.  When  the  American  troops  were 
considerably  within  the  ambuscade,  the  old  Mohawk 
sachem,  who,  with  his  Indians,  had  been  sent  out  as  a 
flank  guard  to  the  detachment,  was  hailed  by  a  hostile 
Indian. 

u  Whence  came  you  ?"  said  he. 

"  From  the  Mohawks.     Whence  came  you  ?" 

"  From  Montreal." 

The  firing,  which  commenced  immediately  after  this 
parley,  brought  on  the  action  sooner  than  Dieskau  intend 
ed,  and  prevented  Williams  and  his  party  from  being 
entirely  surrounded  and  cut  off.  The  provincials  fought 
bravely,  but  finding  themselves  attacked  on  every  side  by 
superior  numbers,  were  compelled  to  retreat  with  con 
siderable  loss.  Colonel  Williams  was  among  the  slain 
Hendricks  also  was  killed,  with  a  number  of  his  Indians, 
who  fought  with  great  intrepidity.  The  loss  of  the  enemy 
was  also  considerable.  Among  their  slain  was  M.  St, 
Pierre,  who  commanded  all  the  Indians,  and  on  whom 
great  reliance  was  placed.  The  retreating  troops  joined 
the  main  body,  and  waited  the  approach  of  their  assail 
ants, — now  rendered  more  sanguine  and  formidable  by 
their  recent  success. 

A  little  before  noon,  the  advanced  guard  of  the  enemy 
appeared  in  sight  of  the  American  army,  which  was 
encamped  in  a  favorable  position  on  the  banks  of  Lake 


BARON      D  I  E  S  K  A  U      WOUNDED.  49 

George,  covered  on  each  flank  by  a  low,  thick  wooded 
swamp.  General  Johnson  had  just  mounted  several 
pieces  of  cannon,  which  he  had  most  opportunely  received 
two  days  before  from  Fort  Edward  ;  and  trees  had  been 
felled  to  form  a  sort  of  breastwork,  which  was  his  only 
cover  against  an  attack. 

The  enemy  marched  along  the  road,  in  very  regular 
order,  and  in  high  confidence  of  victory.  When  within 
one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  of  the  breastwork  they  made 
a  momentary  halt.  A  spirited  attack  was  then  made  by 
the  regulars  upon  the  centre,  while  the  Canadians  and 
Indians  fell  upon  the  flanks.  The  distant  platoon  fire  of  the 
French  did  but  little  execution,  so  that  the  Americans  soon 
recovered  their  spirits  and  determined  on  a  most  resolute 
defence.  As  soon  as  their  artillery  began  to  play,  the 
Canadian  militia  and  Indians,  who  were  not  accustomed 
to  such  terrible  engines  of  destruction,  fled  in  confusion 
and  dismay  to  the  swamps.  Meeting  with  a  warmer 
reception  than  he  anticipated,  and  deserted  by  his  allies, 
Dieskau  was  compelled,  reluctantly,  to  order  a  retreat. 
His  troops  retiring  in  great  disorder,  were  followed  briskly 
by  a  party  from  the  camp,  who  fell  furiously  on  their 
rear,  and  precipitated  their  flight. 

Baron  Dieskau,  who  had  received  a  wound  in  his  leg, 
was  found  leaning  against  a  stump  entirely  alone.  While 
feeling  for  his  watch,  one  of  the  Americans,  now  supposed 
to  be  General  Pomeroy,  suspecting  him  to  be  in  search  of 
a  pistol,  inflicted  upon  him  another  wound,  which  ulti 
mately  proved  mortal,  and  conducted  him  a  prisoner  to 
the  carnp. 

The  English   not  continuing  their  pursuit,   the  enemy 

halted  about  four  miles  from  the  camp,  at  the  very  place 

where   the  engagement  took    place  in  the  morning,  and 

opened  their  pucks  for  refreshment.     While  thus  engaged, 

3 


50        LIFE   OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 

a  detachment  of  two  hundred  of  the  New  Hampshire 
militia,  under  the  brave  Captain  McGinnes,  who  had 
been  dispatched  from  Fort  Edward  to  the  assistance  of 
the  main  body,  fell  upon  them  and  completely  routed 
them.  Captain  McGinnes  fell  in  the  action.  A  large 
number  of  prisoners  were  taken.  For  this  victory  General 
Johnson  was  rewarded  with  a  baronetcy,  and  a  gift  of  five 
hundred  pounds. 

It  was  in  this  battle  of  Lake  George,  that  Thayendane- 
gea,  the  young  Mohawk  chief,  better  known  as  Joseph 
Brant,  made  his  first  appearance  on  the  field  of  war.  He 
was  only  thirteen  years  old.  In  relating  the  particulars 
of  the  bloody  engagement,  some  time  after,  he  stated,  that 
u  he  was  seized  with  such  a  tremor  when  the  firing  com 
menced,  that  he  was  obliged  to  take  hold  of  a  sapling  to 
steady  himself;  but,  after  a  few  volleys,  he  recovered  the 
use  of  his  limbs,  and  the  composure  of  his  mind,  so  as  to 
support  the  character  of  a  brave  man."  He  was  born  to 
be  a  warrior,  as  his  history  abundantly  proves.  "  I  like," 
said  he,  when  some  one  was  speaking  of  music,  "  I  like 
the  harpsichord  well,  and  the  organ  still  better;  but  I  like 
the  drum  and  trumpet  best  of  all,  for  they  make  my  heart 
beat  quick." 

For  the  purpose  of  securing  the  country  from  the  incur 
sions  of  the  enemy,  General  Johnson  erected  a  fort  at  the 
place  of  his  encampment,  which  he  named  Fort  William 
Henry.  The  remainder  of  the  season  was  occupied  in 
completing  the  intrenchments,  with  an  occasional  skir 
mish  between  reconnoitring  and  foraging  parties,  but  with 
out  any  attempt,  on  either  side,  to  give  or  provoke  a 
general  engagement. 

Soon  after  Putnam's  arrival  in  the  camp,  he  became 
intimately  acquainted  with  a  famous  partizan,  Captain,  after 
wards  Major,  Rogers,  whose  eminent  services,  as  com- 


MAJOR      ROGERS.  51 

mander  of  the  corps  of  New  Hampshire  Rangers,  contribut 
ed  so  much  to  the  success  of  this  expedition.  Rogers  kept  a 
journal  of  his  own  achievements,  and  that  of  his  corps, 
which  was  published  in  London,  in  1765.  It  is  full  of 
stirring  interest,  though  manifestly  incorrect  in  some  re 
spects.  There  is  a  studied  omission  of  the  services,  and 
even  of  the  name  of  Putnam,  so  glaring  as  to  impress  the 
mind  of  one  acquainted  with  the  facts,  that  it  was  the  result 
of  some  private  pique,  which  the  author  was  not  willing  to 
acknowledge.  In  some  essential  points,  which  we  shall 
notice  as  we  proceed,  the  journal  differs  entirely  from  the 
orderly  books  of  the  army  ;  and,  in  others,  from  the  nar 
rative  which  Mr.  Putnam's  biographer,  Col.  David  Hum 
phreys,  had  from  his  own  lips.  The  discrepancies  discover 
ed  relate  almost  exclusively  to  those  matters  in  which  Put 
nam  shared  the  hardship  and  the  glory.  There  can  be  no  more 
authentic  record  of  such  matters  than  the  orderly  books  of 
the  arrny  ;  and  as  to  Putnam's  word,  it  was  always  regard 
ed,  by  all  who  knew  him,  as  worthy  of  entire  and  implicit 
credit.  The  learned  Dr.  Dwight,  afterwards  President  of 
Yale  College,  was  his  intimate  friend.  He  was  not  a  man 
to  "  give  flattering  lilies  to  any,"  or  sacrifice  truth  to  the 
mere  euphony  of  a  panegyric,  It  was  he  who  wrote  the 
epitaph  upon  Putnam's  tomb,  in  which,  after  commending 
his  patriotism  and  his  martial  virtues,  as  above  all  praise, 
he  speaks  of  him  as  "  a  man,  whose  generosity  was  singu 
lar,  whose  honesty  was  proverbial^  &c.  Dr.  Dwight  al 
ludes  to  him  elsewhere  in  his  writings,  and  always  with 
the  same  unlimited  confidence.  a  His  word,"  says  he, 
"  was  regarded  as  ample  security  for  anything  for  which  it 
was  pledged,  and  his  uprightness  commanded  absolute  con 
fidence." 

The  omissions  in  Rogers'  journal  are  the  more  remark 
able,  since  it  wras  to  Putnam  that  the  writer  wras  once  in- 


52        LIFE  OF  GENERAL   PUTNAM. 

debted  for  the  preservation  of  his  life,  at  the  hazard  of  his 
own.  Whethei  it  was  Pufi.am's  frank,  open,  republican 
simplicity  of  manners,  or  his  bold  and  successful  daring, 
threatening  an  eclipse  to  his  own  fame  as  a  ranger,  that 
rendered  him  both  ungrateful  and  oblivious  in  these  cases, 
it  is  impossible  now  to  decide.  It  is  clear,  however,  that 
he  had  little  feeling  in  common  with  his  countrymen,  and 
that,  when  he  performed  the  remarkable  services  ascribed 
to  him  in  "  the  Seven  Years'  war,"  it  was  not  as  an  Ameri 
can,  but  as  a  loyal  servant  of  his  majesty.  This  loyalty  he 
retained  to  the  end  ;  and,  when  the  war  of  the  Revolution 
broke  out,  he  was  found  in  the  British  service,  fighting 
against  the  liberties  of  the  land  of  his  birth.  His  journal 
was  published  in  London  the  same  year  with  the  passage 
of  the  stamp  act,  and  after  the  dispute  between  the  colo 
nies  and  the  mother  country  had  begun  to  wax  uncomfort 
ably  warm.* 

Sometimes  in  company  with  Rogers,  and  sometimes 
alone,  Putnam  was  employed  in  reconnoitering  the  enemy's 
lines,  gaining  intelligence  of  his  movements,  and  taking 
straggling  prisoners,  as  well  as  in  beating  up  the  quarters, 
and  surprising  the  advanced  picquets  of  their  army.  For 
these  purposes,  in  addition  to  the  regular  corps  of  Rangers, 
under  Captain  Rogers,  Putnam  and  his  corps,  as  we  have 
already  stated,  though  not  originally  drafted  for  such  a 
service,  were  assigned  to  these  difficult  and  perilous  under 
takings.  The  first  time  the  two  Captains  went  out  toge 
ther,  it  was  the  fortune  of  Putnam  to  preserve  the  life  of 
Rogers,  by  striking  down  with  his  own  hands  a  French 
man,  who  was  about  to  plunge  a  dagger  into  his  heart. 

The  object  of  the  expedition,  on  which  they  were  de 
tached,  was  to  obtain  an  accurate  knowledge  of  the  posi 
tion  of  the  enemy,  and  the  stale  of  the  fortifications  at 
*  See  Appendix,  No.  1. 


SAVES      THE      LIFE      OF      MAJOR      ROGERS.       53 

Crown  Point.  The  fort  was  so  situated  that  it  was  impos 
sible  to  approach  it  with  their  whole  party,  near  enough  to 
effect  the  purpose  of  their  mission,  without  being  discovered. 
To  go  alone,  was  to  expose  themselves  to  a  hazard  which 
was  hardly  justifiable,  on  account  of  the  swarms  of  hostile 
Indians,  who  infested  the  woods.  Determined,  however, 
not  to  return  without  an  attempt  to  accomplish  their  object, 
the  two  leaders  left  all  their  men  in  covert  at  a  convenient, 
distance,  with  strict  orders  to  remain  carefully  concealed 
till  their  return  ;  and  crept  stealthily  forward,  under  cover 
of  the  darkness,  till  they  reached  the  near  vicinity  of  the 
fortress.  Here  they  laid  during  the  night,  without  making 
any  satisfactory  discoveries.  Early  in  the  morning  they 
approached  nearer,  and  spent  considerable  time  in  examin 
ing  the  defences  from  several  points  of  viewr.  Having 
completed  their  observations,  and  obtained  all  the  informa 
tion  they  desired  upon  the  several  points  to  which  their 
attention  had  been  directed,  they  were  about  returning  to 
their  covert,  when  Rogers,  being  separated  from  his  com 
rade  a  short  distance,  suddenly  encountered  a  stout  French 
man,  who,  instantly  giving  the  alarm  to  a  guard  near  by, 
seized  his  fusee  with  one  hand,  and  with  the  other  made  a 
desperate  effort  to  stab  him. 

A  severe  struggle  ensued.  The  guard  answered  the 
call,  and  there  was  imminent  danger  of  having  the  whole 
garrison  upon  them  at  once.  Perceiving  that  no  time 
was  to  be  lost,  and  that  further  alarm  would  be  given, 
and  their  danger  greatly  increased,  if  he  should  fire,  Put 
nam  sprang  upon  the  Frenchman,  administered  a  heavy 
blow  upon  his  head  with  the  butt  end  of  his  musket,  and 
laid  him  dead  at  his  feet.  Thus  relieved,  and  expecting 
instant  pursuit,  they  flew  with  the  utmost  speed  to  the 
mountains,  joined  their  party  in  ambush,  and  returned, 


54  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

without  further  incident,  to  the  camp.  This  was  in  the 
latter  part  of  October. 

The  fortress  at  Crown  Point  being  found  too  strong,  and 
too  ably  garrisoned,  to  justify  an  attack,  and  the  season 
being  now  far  advanced,  the  greater  part  of  the  army  was 
discharged,  reserving  only  six  hundred  men,  under  the 
immediate  command  of  General  Johnson,  to  garrison  Forts 
Edward  and  William  Henry.  The  French,  in  the  mean 
time,  took  possession  of  Ticonderoga,  at  the  northern  out 
let  of  Lake  George,  and  fortified  it  strongly. 

The  colonial  troops  having  enlisted  only  for  the  cam 
paign,  Captain  Putnam's  term  of  service  ended  with  the 
season,  and  he  returned  home  to  pass  the  winter  in  the 
quiet  enjoyment  of  domestic  life,  and  to  look  after  the  inte 
rests  of  his  growing  family  and  his  thrifty  farm,  With  a 
versatility  peculiar  to  a  pioneer  life,  he  exchanged  the 
sword  for  the  ploughshare,  and  the  gilded  military  coat 
for  the  homespun  frock,  equally  willing  and  able  to  till  the 
soil,  as  to  fight  in  its  defence. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

THE  CAMPAIGN  OF    1756.     PUTNAM'S  SERVICES  AS  A  RANGER. 

Putnam  re-appointed — Plan  of  the  campaign — Montcalm's  success 
at  Oswego  and  Fort  George — The  English  put  upon  the  defensive 
— The  active  services  of  the  Rangers — Adventure  of  Putnam  and 
Durkee  at  "The  Ovens" — Arrangement  of  the  French  camp — 
The  scouts  within  the  lines — Fired  upon — Their  narrow  escape — 
Their  lodgings — Canteen  sprung  a  leak — Baggage  train  plundered 
at  Half- Way  Brook — Putnam  and  Rogers  sent  in  pursuit  of  the 
plunderers — Successful  encounter  with  the  boats — Pursued  in  their 
turn — Rencontre  with  a  superior  force  at  Sabbath-day  Point — 
The  enemy  defeated  and  dispersed — Another  adventure — Putnam 
sent  out  to  take  a  prisoner — Cowardly  conduct  of  his  men — Defeat 
ed  in  his  object — His  escape — His  ultimate  success — Importance 
of  this  kind  of  service — Putnam's  peculiar  fitness  for  it. 

THE  plan  of  the  campaign  of  1756,  as  agreed  upon  in  a 
council  of  the  colonial  governors,  held  at  Albany  in  the 
early  part  of  the  season,  was  similar  to  that  of  the  preced 
ing  year — having  for  its  object  the  reduction  of  Crown 
Point,  Niagara,  and  Fort  Duquesne.  Putnam  was  re-ap 
pointed  to  his  command,  under  his  old  leader — Major- 
General  Abercrombie  being  commander-in-chief  until  the 
latter  part  of  July,  when  he  was  superseded  by  the  Earl 
of  Loudoun.  The  expedition  against  Crown  Point  was 
committed  to  Major-General  Winslow,  which  he  was  to 
conduct  with  the  provincial  forces  alone,  without  any  aid 
from  the  British  troops,  who  were  reserved  to  garrison  and 
defend  the  forts. 

The  astonishing  success  of  Montcalrn  at  Forts  Oswego 


56        LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 

and  George,  which  he  razed  to  the  ground,  diverted  the 
British  General  from  his  offensive  movement  towards 
Crown  Point.  General  Winslow  w;as  arrested  in  his  pre 
parations  for  this  service,  and  ordered  to  fortify  his  own 
camp,  in  anticipation  of  an  attack  from  the  enemy,  and  an 
attempt  to  advance  into  the  country,  below  the  Lake 
Champlain,  by  way  of  South  Bay  or  Wood  Creek.  Gene 
ral  Webb,  with  fourteen  hundred  men,  was  stationed  at 
the  great  carrying  place,  near  Wood  Creek ;  and  Sir  Wil 
liam  Johnson,  with  one  thousand,  at  the  German  Flats,  on 
the  Mohawk,  and  nearly  half  way  to  Oswego.  In  these 
precautionary  and  defensive  measures  the  campaign  passed 
off  without  another  battle. 

But,  though  a  season  of  inactivity  to  the  body  of  the 
army,  and  the  commanders,  it  was  full  of  stirring  incident 
to  Putnam  and  others, — whose  task  it  was  to  watch  the 
movements,  and  annoy  the  outposts  of  the  enemy.  Adven 
tures  of  this  kind  are  sufficiently  hazardous  in  the  day 
time  ;  but,  when  attempted  in  the  night,  they  are  pecu 
liarly  liable  to  accidents.  Having  been  commanded  to 
reconnoitre  the  enemy's  camp,  at  a  place  called  "  The 
Ovens,"  near  Ticonderoga,  Captain  Putnam  took  as  a 
companion  in  the  enterprise,  the  brave  Lieutenant  Robert 
Durkee.  In  the  prosecution  of  the  duties  assigned  him,  he 
narrowly  escaped  being  made  a  prisoner  himself,  in  the 
first  instance,  and  killing  his  comrade,  in  the  second.  It 
was  the  custom,  with  the  British  and  Provincial  troops,  to 
arrange  their  camp  fires  along  the  outer  lines  of  their 
encampment,  which  gave  a  great  advantage  to  the  enemy's 
scouts  and  patrols,  laying  open  the  whole  extent  of  the 
camp  to  their  view,  and  frequently  exposing  the  sentinels 
to  be  picked  off  by  expert  marksmen.  A  contrary,  and 
much  more  rational  practice,  prevailed  among  the  French 
and  Indians.  They  kindled  their  fires  in  the  centre,  lodged 


HAZARDOUS      RECONNOITRE.  57 

their  men  circularly  at  a  distance,  and  posted  their  senti 
nels  in  the  surrounding  darkness.  Ignorant  of  this  arrange 
ment,  and  supposing  that  the  French  sentries  were  within 
the  circle  of  the  fires,  the  bold  scouts  approached  the  camp, 
creeping  upon  their  hands  and  knees  with  the  greatest 
possible  caution,  until,  to  their  utter  astonishment,  they 
found  themselves  in  the  very  thickest  of  the  enemy.  The 
sentinels,  seeing  by  the  light  of  the  fires  beyond  that  some 
one  had  passed  stealthily  without  challenge,  gave  the 
alarm  and  fired.  Durkee  was  slightly  wounded  in  the 
thigh. 

There  was,  of  course,  no  alternative  but  instant  flight. 
Putnam,  being  foremost,  and  scarcely  able,  on  turning 
away  from  the  glare  of  the  fires,  to  see  his  hand  before 
him,  soon  plunged  into  a  clay-pit.  Durkee,  limping 
briskly  along,  tumbled,  with  no  gentle  fall,  into  the  same 
pit.  Putnam,  not  relishing  a  companion  so  near,  in  such 
circumstances,  and  supposing  him  to  be  one  of  the  pur 
suing  enemy,  was  about  striking  him  down,  when  Durkee, 
who  had  followed  so  closely  as  to  know  what  company  he 
was  in,  inquired  whether  he  had  escaped  unhurt.  Instantly 
recognizing  the  voice  of  his  friend,  and  rejoicing  to  find 
him  also  safe,  Putnam  dropped  his  weapon,  and  both, 
springing  from  the  pit,  made  good  their  retreat  to  the 
neighboring  ledges,  amid  a  shower  of  random  shot.  Hav 
ing  reached  a  place  of  safety,  they  found  shelter  under  the 
lee  of  a  large  log,  which  afforded  them  a  comfortable  lodg 
ing  for  the  remainder  of  the  night 

Before  composing  themselves  to  sleep,  Putnam  recol 
lected  that  there  was  a  little  rum  left  in  his  canteen. 
Thinking  it  could  never  be  more  acceptable,  or  useful, 
than  at  that  time,  he  generously  offered  to  share  it  with 
his  comrade,  in  drinking  to  the  confusion  of  the  sentinel 
who  had  given  them  so  unceremonious  a  salutation.  On 


58        LIFE   OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 

examining  the  canteen,  however,  which  hung  under  his 
arm,  it  was  found  perfectly  dry,  having  been  pierced  by 
one  of  the  balls  that  had  whistled  about  him  in  his  flight. 
The  temperance  men  of  the  present  day,  would  doubtless 
regard  that  ball  as  having  done  better  service  than  if  it 
had  drawn  the  blood  of  an  enemy.  On  inspecting  his 
blanket,  the  next  day,  it  was  found  to  have  been  pierced 
in  fourteen  places.  Whether  all  this  boring  was  the  work 
of  one  leaden  messenger  from  the  French  camp,  or  of 
many,  it  must  be  regarded  as  one  of  those  remarkable 
escapes,  which  can  only  be  referred  to  the  protecting 
agency  of  a  special  providence,  of  which  so  many  instances 
are  recorded  in  the  annals  of  the  American  wars. 

During  the  continuance  of  the  army  at  this  place,  an 
incident  occurred  which  illustrates,  in  a  very  striking  man 
ner,  the  singular  courage  and  ready  wit  of  Mr.  Putnam. 
The  garrison  had  been  exceedingly  annoyed  by  a  large, 
powerful,  wily  Indian,  who  prowled  about  the  lines  under 
cover  of  the  night,  perpetrating  all  kinds  of  mischief,  and 
picking  off  the  sentinels  apparently  at  his  pleasure,  and 
always  eluding  the  utmost  watchfulness  of  the  guards. 
There  was  one  of  the  outposts  in  particular,  which  had 
shared  more  largely  than  any  other  in  his  regards.  For 
several  nights  in  succession,  the  sentinel  on  that  post  was 
taken  off  in  a  most  mysterious  manner.  The  commanding 
officer  had  given  directions,  in  case  any  noise  should  be 
heard  in  the  vicinity  of  the  station,  that  the  sentinel  should 
call  out,  *'  Who  goes  there  ?"  three  times,  and  then,  if  no 
answer  were  returned,  fire  in  the  direction  of  the  noise. 
Night  after  night,  these  orders  had  been  given,  as  the  post 
was  supplied  with  a  new  sentinel,  but  without  any  avail. 
The  post  was  always  found  deserted  in  the  morning,  until 
it  came  to  be  looked  upon  as  certain  death  to  venture  upon 
duty  at  that  place. 


VOLUNTEERS      AS      A      SENTINEL.  59 

As  is  usual,  in  well  appointed  armies,  the  post  of  danger 
was  sought  for  by  the  best  men  in  the  garrison  ;  and 
already  a  number  of  the  bravest  and  most  valuable  soldiers 
had  fallen  in  this  hazardous  service.  It  began  to  be  diffi 
cult  to  obtain  volunteers.  At  length  the  post  was  utterly 
declined.  The  commander  was  making  preparations  to 
supply  the  place  by  lot,  when  Mr.  Putnam,  whose  station 
as  a  commissioned  officer  excused  him  from  all  such  duties 
as  this,  stepped  forward,  and  solicited  the  honor  of  standing 
guard  for  the  night.  His  offer  w:as  promptly  accepted. 
Relying  upon  the  rule  he  had  already  laid  down,  the  com 
mander  reiterated  the  instructions  he  had  given  to  previous 
sentinels,  saying:  "If  you  hear  any  sound  from  without 
the  lines,  you  will  call  l  Who  goes  there  ?'  three  times,  and 
then,  if  no  answer  be  given,  fire."  With  these  instruc 
tions,  and  a  promise  to  give  a  good  account  of  himself  the 
next  day,  Putnam  proceeded  to  his  post. 

Having  examined,  with  the  utmost  scrutiny,  every 
tree,  and  shrub,  and  rock,  in  the  neighborhood  ;  measured 
v.'ith  accuracy  every  point  in  the  area  around  him ; 
fixed  their  bearings  and  distances  in  his  mind,  and  looked 
well  to  the  condition  of  his  musket,  he  commenced  his 
monotonous  tramp,  to  and  fro,  along  his  portion  of  the  line. 
His  plan  of  operations  had  been  fully  digested  in  his  own 
mind,  before  he  volunteered  ;  and  it  will  be  seen,  in  the 
sequel,  that  he  perfectly  understood  the  nature  of  the 
Indian's  artifice,  and  the  manner  in  which  he  had  taken 
advantage  of  the  previous  sentinels. 

For  several  hours,  nothing  occurred  to  attract  his  notice, 
or  disturb  his  thoughts.  At  length,  about  midnight,  his 
quick  ear  discerned  a  slight  rustling  among  the  grass,  as 
of  an  animal  stealthily  approaching,  or  passing  his  post. 
Presently,  this  rustling  was  followed  by  a  crackling  sound, 
like  that  made  by  a  hog  munching  acorns.  Determined 


60  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

that  not  even  a  hog  should  trespass  with  impunity  upon 
his  premises,  he  raised  his  musket  to  his  shoulder,  and 
adjusting  his  aim  with  great  care  toward  the  spot  from 
which  the  sounds  proceeded,  called  out,u  Who  goes  there 
three  times  ?"  and  instantly  discharged  his  piece.  It  was 
followed  by  a  deep  groan,  and  a  struggle  as  of  one  in  the 
agonies  of  death.  On  examining  the  spot,  a  huge  Indian 
was  found,  disguised  in  a  bear-skin,  and  now  just  breathing 
his  last.  He  had  been  shot  through  the  heart.  From 
that  time  the  sentinels  paced  their  rounds  unmolested,  and 
the  fatal  outpost  lost  its  pre-eminence  as  the  post  of 
danger.* 

In  the  course  of  the  summer,  a  body  of  the  enemy,  con 
sisting  of  six  hundred  men,  attacked  the  baggage  and 
provision  waggons  of  the  American  army,  at  a  place  called 
Half-way  Brook — it  being  equi-distant  from  Fort  Edward 
and  Fort  William  Henry.  Having  killed  the  oxen,  and 
plundered  the  waggons,  they  retreated  with  their  booty, 
experiencing  but  little  interruption  from  the  small  body 
of  troops  by  whom  the  convoy  was  escorted.  When  the 
tidings  of  this  disaster  reached  the  camp,  Captains  Put 
nam  and  Rogers  were  ordered  to  pursue  the  plunderers, 
and  recover  or  destroy  their  booty.  They  were  directed 
to  embark  with  one  hundred  volunteers  in  boats,  with  two 
wall-pieces,  and  as  many  blunderbusses,  and  proceed  down 
Lake  George  to  a  certain  point,  there  to  leave  the  bat- 
teaux  under  a  proper  guard,  and  thence  to  cross  by  land, 
so  as  to  harass,  and,  if  possible,  intercept  the  retreating 
enemy  at  the  narrows. 

*  This  incident  was  furnished  by  a  gentleman  of  the  first  re 
spectability,  to  whom  it  was  communicated  some  thirty  years  ago, 
by  Jared  Scarborough,  Esq.,  of  Brooklyn,  a  neighbor  and  inti 
mate  friend  of  Putnam,  and  a  sharer  in  some  of  his  military  enter 
prises. 


A      DOUBLE      VICTORY.  61 

These  orders  were  executed  with  so  much  spirit  and 
punctuality,  that  the  party  arrived  at  the  spot  designated 
for  the  attack  a  full  half  hour  before  the  hostile  boats  came 
in  view.  Waiting  under  cover  of  the  woods  until  the 
enemy,  wholly  unsuspicious  of  the  ambush,  entered  the 
narrows,  their  boats  deeply  loaded  with  plunder,  the 
volunteers  commenced  a  brisk  and  galling  fire.  They 
poured  in  upon  them  volley  after  volley,  killed  many  of 
the  oarsmen,  sunk  a  number  of  the  boats,  and  would 
have  cut  off  the  whole  body,  encumbered  as  they  were 
with  baggage,  had  not  a  strong  wind,  favoring  their  des 
perate  exertions  to  escape,  swept  a  few  of  them  through 
the  narrows  into  the  South  Bay,  and  beyond  the  reach  of 
the  guns  of  their  assailants.  This  shattered  remnant  of 

O 

the  little  fleet,  pushing  on  with  desperate  speed  to  Ticon- 
deroga,  reported  the  disaster,  and  gave  information  that 
Putnam  and  Rogers  were  at  the  narrows,  with  a  large 
detachment  of  provincials. 

A  fresh  party,  of  three  hundred  French  and  Indians, 
was  instantly  despatched  to  intercept  them  on  their  return 
to  Fort  Edward,  and  cut  them  in  pieces.  Anticipating 
the  probability  of  such  an  attempt,  and  being  fully  twenty 
miles  from  their  boats,  they  strained  every  nerve  to  reach 
them  before  night.  With  incredible  exertion  they  effect 
ed  their  object,  and  were  soon  embarked,  and  moving 
briskly  down  the  lake.  On  the  following  day,  having  pro 
ceeded  as  far  as  Sabbath-day  Point,  they  discovered  on 
shore  the  pursuing  party,  who  must  have  passed  them  un- 
perceived  in-  the  night.  As  soon  as  the  boats  came  in 
view,  the  French  embarked  with  great  alacrity,  and  rowed 
out  into  the  lake,  to  give  them  battle.  They  advanced  in 
regular  line,  with  a  bold  and  confident  air,  felicitating 
themselves  upon  the  certain  prospect  of  an  easy  victory, 
from  the  great  superiority  of  their  numbers.  Flushed  with 


t>2  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM 

these  expectations,  they  were  permitted  to  come  within 
pistol  shot  before  a  gun  was  fired.  Then,  at  a  signal,  the 
wall  pieces  and  blunderbusses,  which  had  been  brought 
to  rake  the  enemy  in  their  most  vulnerable  point,  were 
simultaneously  discharged.  No  such  broadside  reception 
as  this  having  been  anticipated,  the  assailants  were  thrown 
into  the  utmost  disorder.  The  confusion  and  dismay  was 
greatly  increased  by  a  well-directed  and  most  destructive 
fire  from  the  small  arms.  The  larger  pieces  being  re 
loaded  without  annoyance,  continued,  alternately  with  the 
musketry,  to  make  such  dreadful  havoc,  that  the  enemy 
never  recovered  from  the  first  surprise  and  dismay,  suffi 
ciently  to  make  one  vigorous  effort  to  rally.  The  rout 
was  complete.  The  loss  of  the  French  was  very  great. 
In  one  of  the  canoes,  containing  twenty  Indians,  only  five 
escaped.  From  other  boats  great  numbers,  both  of  French 
and  Indians,  were  seen  to  fall  overboard.  The  remainder, 
crippled  and  shattered,  and  laden  with  the  wounded  and 
the  dying,  glad  of  an  opportunity  to  abandon  the  scene  of 
so  mortifying  and  terrible  a  defeat,  were  driven  back  to 
Ticonderoga.  Of  the  American  party,  only  one  man  was 
killed,  and  two  slightly  wounded.  Having  dispersed  their 
enemies,  they  landed  on  the  Point,  refreshed  themselves 
at  leisure,  and  then  returned  in  good  order  and  high  spirits 
to  the  British  camp,  having  inflicted  upon  an  enemy  vastly 
superior  in  numbers  a  most  mortifying  defeat,  and  an 
amount  of  loss  scarcely  inferior  to  that  of  some  pitched 
battles.  The  loss  of  the  French,  in  both  engagements, 
could  not  have  been  less  than  five  hundred  men — a  heavy 
price  to  pay  for  their  bold  reprisals  upon  the  American 
baggage  train. 

Another  incident  occurred  soon  after,  which,  though  of 
no  great  interest  in  itself,  or  in  its  results,  will  serve  to 
illustrate  the  nature  of  the  tasks  imposed  upon  a  bold  and 


A  L  M  O  S  T      A      PRISONER.  63 

active  partisan  ;  the  vigilance,  fearlessness,  enterprise  and 
prudence  they  demanded  of  him,  and  the  imminent  peril 
to  which  his  life  was  constantly  exposed.  The  season 
was  far  advanced.  It  was  hardly  expected  that  there 
would  be  any  active  hostilities  during  the  present  cam 
paign,  but  it  was  very  desirable  to  obtain,  if  possible,  some 
definite  information  of  the  strength  and  designs  of  the 
enemy.  For  this  purpose  Captain  Putnam  was  sent  out, 
with  five  men,  to  procure  a  prisoner  from  some  of  the 
straggling  parties  of  the  enemy.  Approaching  the  camp 
with  all  the  circumspection  of  an  Indian  scout,  he  found 
a  place  of  concealment  exactly  adapted  to  his  purpose,  in 
a  thicket  that  skirted  the  road  leading  from  Ticonderoga 
to  the  Ovens.  His  men,  whose  valor  for  the  moment  got 
the  better  of  their  discretion,  ascribing  the  caution  of  their 
leader  to  cowardice,  were  very  unwilling  to  confine  them 
selves  within  this  covert.  It  was  with  difficulty  that  they 
were  prevented  from  exposing  themselves  in  such  a  man 
ner  as  to  defeat  entirely  the  object  of  their  enterprise,  and 
put  the  lives  of  the  whole  party  to  unnecessary  hazard. 
The  issue  proved  the  truth  of  the  common  remark,  that 
they  who  are  most  bold  and  boisterous  when  no  danger  is 
near,  are  the  first  to  shrink  from  it,  when  it  approaches. 

The  party  had  not  been  long  within  their  covert,  when 
a  Frenchman  and  an  Indian  passed  ;  the  Indian  being  con 
siderably  in  advance.  Watching  his  opportunity,  when 
the  Indian  was  far  enough  off  to  render  any  interference 
on  his  part  improbable,  Putnam  sprang  from  the  thicket, 
ordering  his  men  to  follow.  After  running  about  thirty 
rods,  he  overtook  the  Frenchman,  seized  him  by  the 
shoulder,  and  commanded  him  to  surrender.  His  men, 
who  were  lately  so  bold,  now  realized  the  advantage  of  a 
place  of  concealment ;  and,  disregarding  the  order  of  their 
captain,  left  him  to  meet  single-handed  the  danger  of  a 


64        LIFE  OF   GENERAL  PUTNAM. 

conflict  with  two  of  their  foes.  The  Frenchman  looking 
round,  and  perceiving  no  other  enemy,  and  knowing  that 
his  Indian  friend  would  soon  be  at  hand  to  assist  him,  ob 
stinately  resisted  being  made  a  prisoner.  Putnam,  finding 
himself  betrayed  by  his  men  into  a  perilous  dilemma,  and 
knowing  that  no  time  was  to  be  lost,  let  go  his  hold, 
stepped  a  few  paces  back,  and  levelled  his  piece  at  the 
Frenchman's  breast.  It  missed  fire  ;  whereupon  the 
Frenchman,  seeing  his  advantage,  gave  the  alarm  to  his 
Indian  comrade,  and  sprung  furiously  upon  his  assailant. 
Putnam  thought  it  prudent  to  retreat,  and  thus  drew  his 
enemy  off  in  the  direction  of  the  place  where  his  men  were 
posted,  and  where,  if  they  had  not  shown  themselves  too 
soon,  he  would  inevitably  have  fallen  into  their  hands 
They  played  their  part  so  ill,  however,  that  he  discovered 
the  ambuscade  in  season  to  effect  his  escape. 

It  was  now  a  dangerous  neighborhood  for  the  American 
scouts.  The  alarm  had  been  given,  and  a  diligent  and  active 
pursuit  was  sure  to  be  the  consequence.  They,  therefore, 
made  a  precipitate  flight,  and  arrived  without  accident  at 
their  own  camp.  Mortified  with  the  result  of  this  adven 
ture,  Putnam  dismissed  his  men  with  disgrace,  selected 
another  party,  on  whom  he  could  rely  with  confidence, 
and  set  forth  again  on  the  same  hazardous  errand.  Of  the 
incidents  of  this  adventure,  we  are  not  informed.  It  was 
brief  and  successful,  however,  as  might  have  been  pre 
dicted  from  the  character  of  its  leader,  for  he  never  aban 
doned  an  enterprise,  while  there  was  a  reasonable  hope  of 
accomplishing  it. 

To  those  who  are  unacquainted  with  the  duties  and  dan 
gers  of  the  camp,  and  with  the  peculiar  difficulties  to  be 
overcome,  in  a  country  covered  with  thick  forests,  and 
with  but  few  roads  besides  the  Indian  footpaths,  such  insig 
nificant  feats  as  the  capture  of  a  single  prisoner,  or  a  visit 


HIS      STANDING      IN      T"  ii  E    A  R  U  Y  .  65 

of  observation  to  the  enemy's  lines,  will  hardly  appear  of 
sufficient  importance  to  be  recorded ;  and  the  services  of 
the  bold  and  able  adventurers,  by  whom  they  are  achieved, 
will,  of  course,  be  lightly  appreciated.  They  may  be 
assured,  however,  that  they  were  viewed  in  a  very  differ 
ent  light  by  the  commanders,  for  whose  benefit  they  were 
undertaken.  There  were  few  men  in  the  army,  who  could 
not  have  been  better  spared  than  these  ;  and,  during  the 
greater  part  of  the  campaign,  they  were  the  only  men 
who  were  employed  in  any  active  service,  or  knew  any 
thing  of  the  perils  and  hardships  of.  war. 

In  this  department,  no  one  was  more  useful,  no  one 
stood  higher  in  the  estimation  of  the  commanding  generals, 
than  Captain  Putnam.  He  wras  found  to  be  possessed,  in 
happy  combination,  of  all  the  qualities  required  for  this 
peculiar  service.  To  a  total  insensibility  to  danger,  he 
united  prudence,  circumspection,  sagacity,  and  uncommon 
fertility  of  resources,  which  was  equal  to  any  exigency. 
The  employment  of  a  scout  and  a  ranger  was  admirably 
adapted  to  bring  out  and  display  these  peculiar  qualities, 
though,  unfortunately  for  their  possessor,  the  sphere  in 
which  he  operated  was  too  limited,  and  the  duties  he  per 
formed  of  too  private  and  confidential  a  nature, 'to  secure 
for  him  a  conspicuous  place  in  the  history  of  those  times. 
Such  services  rarely  receive  their  due  award  of  fame,  un 
less  the  brave  men  who  render  them  become  their  own 
trumpeters.  They  come  not  within  the  range  of  the  ordi 
nary  records  of  the  army.  From  their  very  nature,  they 
are  concealed  from  the  public  gaze  at  the  time  of  their 
achievement.  They  are  planned  in  secret,  and  executed 
in  secret — their  efficiency  and  success  often  depending  as 
much  upon  the  fidelity  with  which  their  secret  character 
is  maintained,  as  upon  any  other  circumstance.  The 
movements  of  an  army,  the  fate  of  a  battle — the  whole 


66        LIFE   OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 

matter  at  issue  in  a  war — have  often  been  decided  by  the 
information  communicated  to  the  commanders  by  a  single 
scout.  Yet  his  name  is  not  mentioned,  nor  his  agency 
acknowledged,  either  by  the  general  in  making  up  his 
report  of  the  issue,  or  by  the  historian  in  recording  it  for  pos 
terity.  The  simple  phrase — "  The  general  havin'g  receiv 
ed  information,"  &c.,  covers  it  all  ;  while  the  hazards  at 
which  that  information  was  obtained  are  lost  sight  of,  and 
the  boldness  of  manoeuvre,  the  correctness  of  observation, 
the  sagacity,  and  sound  judgment,  required  to  render  it 
valuable,  are  credited  to  the  genius  and  foresight  of  the 
commander. 

Putnam  kept  no  journal.  A  few  of  his  adventures  were 
partially  preserved  in  the  orderly  books,  and  some  found 
their  way  into  the  newspapers  of  the  day  ;  while  some 
were  transmitted  from  friend  to  friend,  for  many  years, 
without  appearing  in  print.  He  enjoyed  an  uncommon 
popularity  in  the  army.  "  He  was  endeared  to  the  soldiers, 
by  the  cheerfulness  with  which  he  shared  their  perils  and 
privations,  and  the  gallantry  which  suffered  none  to  go, 
where  he  did  not  himself  lead  the  way ;  to  his  superior 
officers,  by  the  energy  and  promptness  with  which  he 
executed  their  commands  ;  and  he  beo-an  to  rise,  in  the 

'  O  / 

estimation  of  the  public  generally,  as  one  who  was  des 
tined  to  become  distinguished  in  a  broader  field  of  action.'1 


CHAPTER    V. 

THE    CAMPAIGN    OF    1757. 

Putnam  promoted  to  be  a  Major — Inefficiency  of  the  British  Generais 
— Hopesof  the  colonies — Lord  Loudoun  suddenly  disconcerted — Ge 
neral  Webb  visits  Fort  William  Henry — Putnam  reconnoitres  the 
enemy — An  attack  on  the  fort  threatened — Webb  returns  to  Fort 
Edward — Sends  a  reinforcement  to  Fort  William  Henry — Sum 
mons  from  Montcalm  to  surrender — Timid  policy  of  Webb — The 
fortress  capitulates — Shameful  massacre  by  the  Indians — Putnam 
visits  the  scene  of  carnage— Unexpected  assault  upon  Captain 
Little  and  his  fatigue  party — Relieved  by  Major  Putnam — Diso 
bedience — Fire  in  the  barracks — Putnam's  heroic  and  successful 
exertions  in  subduing  the  flames — Narrow  escape  of  the  garrison. 

IN  1757  the  Legislature  of  Connecticut  conferred  on  Put 
nam  the  commission  of  a  Major.  Notwithstanding  the 
many  reverses  of  the  Anglo-American  forces  hitherto,  great 
exertions  were  made  for  opening  this  campaign  with  an 
army  that  should  make  success  almost  certain.  What 
might  have  been  the  result,  had  this  army  been  guided  by 
a  competent  commander,  it  is  impossible  to  say.  But  the 
British  government,  refusing  to  learn  wisdom  from  the 
disasters  of  past  years,  persisted  in  placing  the  whole  con 
trol  of  the  affairs  of  the  colonies  in  the  hands  of  English 
officers,  who  knew  nothing  of  the  country,  and  scorned  to 
take  the  smallest  advice  from  the  provincials  with  whom 
they  were  associated.  In  the  present  instance,  they  were 
more  than  usually  unfortunate  in  their  selection.  Of  all 
the  generals  who  served  at  any  time  in  America,  Lord 
Loudoun  was  the  most  incompetent  to  the  arduous  service. 


68        LIFE   OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 

Pie  had  superseded  General  Abercrombie  about  the  middle 
of  the  previous  campaign,  and  had  been  frightened,  by  the 
success  of  Montcalm  at  Osvvego,  from  attempting  any  other 
measures  than  those  of  mere  defence. 

During  the  winter  his  Lordship  made  large  requisitions 
upon  the  colonial  Legislatures  for  the  increase  of  the 
army.  The  call  was  responded  to  with  great  alacrity. 
At  the  same  time,  a  large  fleet  and  army  arrived  from 
Europe,  and  the  colonists  began  to  look  upon  the  speedy 
downfall  of  the  power  of  France  in  America  as  almost 
certain. 

Their  hopes  were  doomed  to  a  bitter  disappointment. 
Instead  of  following  up,  as  they  expected,  the  designs  of 
the  previous  campaigns,  by  striking  a  decisive  blow  in  the 
direction  of  Canada,  and  shielding  their  northern  frontier 
from  the  continual  inroads  of  the  enemy,  the  commander- 
in-cbief,  under  pretence  of  concentrating  all  his  force  upon 
one  point,  and  achieving  a  certain  and  brilliant  victory 
there,  turned  his  whole  attention  upon  Louisburg,  in  the 
island,  of  Cape  Breton.  It  was  midsummer  before  his 
preparations  for  this  expedition  were  completed.  When 
all  things  were  ready,  and  his  forces,  both  naval  and  mili 
tary,  assembled  at  Halifax,  he  learned  that  a  powerful 
fleet  had  arrived  at  Louisburg  from  Brest,  with  a  large 
reinforcement  for  the  garrison.  This  disconcerted  all  his 
plans.  The  expedition  was  at  once  abandoned,  and  with 
it  all  idea  of  offensive  operations.  It  required  but  a  single 
demonstration  on  the  part  of  the  enemy  to  exhaust  the 
valor  of  the  over-discreet  Earl,  and  throw  him  upon  his 
defence.  Leaving  the  fleet  to  watch  the  motions  of  the 
French,  he  returned  to  New  York  to  refresh  himself  for 
the  next  year's  campaign. 

Meanwhile,  the  French  commander,  Montcalm,  secure 
with  respect  to  Louisburg,  and  encouraged  by  the  diver- 


FORT      WILLIAM      HENRY.  69 

sion  in  that  direction  of  so  large  a  part  of  the  British 
forces,  determined  to  make  a  bold  push  to  secure  the 
entire  possession  of  Lake  George.  The  condition  of  Fort 
William  Henry,  the  frontier  post  of  the  Americans,  was 
such  as  to  invite  assault.  It  was  an  ill-constructed  and 
ill-appointed  fortification,  occupying  a  small  eminence, 
which  rose  gradually  from  the  waters  of  the  lake,  near  its 
southern  extremity.  It  was  garrisoned  at  that  time  by 
about  three  thousand  men,  under  Colonel  Munroe,  while 
General  Webb,  who  commanded  in  the  northern  depart 
ment,  was  stationed  at  Fort  Edward,  about  fifteen  miles 
below,  with  a  considerably  larger  force.  He  was  an  offi 
cer  of  nearly  as  much  courage  and  capacity  as  Lord 
Loudoun,  and  a  fit  representative  of  that  nobleman  in  any 
situation  where  he  might  be  placed. 

About  the  first  of  August,  this  valorous  commander — 
who  always  took  especial  care  to  provide  for  his  own 
safety — proceeded,  under  the  escort  of  Major  Putnam, 
with  two  hundred  chosen  men,  to  examine  in  person  the 
state  of  the  defences  at  Fort  William  Henry.  While  there, 
Putnam  proposed  to  go  down  the  lake,  with  a  party  of 
five  men,  and  reconnoitre  the  enemy's  position  at  Ticon- 
deroga,  and  the  adjacent  posts. 

This  proposition  was  rejected  by  the  prudent  com 
mander  as  altogether  too  hazardous.  At  length,  how 
ever,  he  was  permitted  to  undertake  the  enterprise  with 
eighteen  volunteers.  They  immediately  embarked  in 
three  whale-boats,  and  set  forward  on  their  expedition. 
Before  reaching  Northwest  Bay,  the  place  where  they 
proposed  to  land,  they  discovered  a  large  body  of  the 
enemy  on  an  island.  Satisfied  that  this  indicated  a  south 
ward  movement  of  the  French,  preparatory  to  an  attack 
upon  our  fortresses,  and  desirous,  in  case  he  and  his  party 
should  be  cut  off  or  taken,  to  put  his  commander  upon  his 


70  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      P  U  T  N  A  M  . 

guard,  he  immediately  directed  two  of  the  boats  to  lie  to, 
as  if  for  the  purpose  of  fishing,  while  he  with  the  other 
returned  to  report  progress.  The  general,  seeing  him 
rowing  back  with  great  speed,  in  a  single  boat,  and  sup 
posing  that  the  others  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy,  sent  out  a  skiff,  with  orders  for  the  major  alone 
to  come  on  shore.  After  making  his  report  to  the  gene 
ral,  and  explaining  what  he  conceived  to  be  the  evident 
design  of  the  enemy,  he  proposed  returning  immediately, 
to  rejoin  his  companions,  and  prosecute  his  discoveries  still 
further. 

Webb,  unwilling  to  part  with  his  escort  in  such  an 
alarming  emergency,  preferred  leaving  the  two  boats  to 
their  fate,  rather  than  send  so  brave  a  man  to  bring 
them  off.  Putnam  was  urgent,  however,  and  the  general 
yielded  a  reluctant  assent.  Pushing  vigorously  out,  he 
found  his  men  where  he  had  left  them,  though  more  intent 
upon  the  motions  of  the  men  on  shore,  than  upon  securing 
a  very  large  draught  of  fishes.  Passing  on  a  little  farther, 
he  presently  encountered  a  large  number  of  boats  in  motion 
on  the  lake — from  the  foremost  of  which  he  was  enabled 
to  escape  only  by  the  superior  tleetness  of  his  own,  and  the 
vigorous  exertions  of  his  rowers. 

Convinced,  beyond  a  doubt,  that  this  formidable  arma 
ment  was  destined  against  Fort  William  Henry,  he  hasten 
ed  his  return  to  that  place,  and  communicated  to  General 
Webb  all  he  had  seen,  and  his  views  of  the  object  of  the 
hostile  expedition.  That  commander,  strictly  enjoining 
silence  on  the  subject,  directed  him  to  put  his  men  under 
an  oath  of  secresy,  and  to  prepare,  without  loss  of  time,  to 
return  to  the  head-quarters  of  the  army.  Major  Putnam 
argued  strenuously  against  such  a  desertion  of  the  post  in 
the  moment  of  danger,  and  earnestly  pleaded  the  duty  of 
meeting  the  enemy  on  the  shore,  should  he  presume  to 


MUNROE      REFUSES      TO      CAPITULATE.       71 

land.  But  General  Webb  was  resolute  in  his  decision. 
He  would  neither  remain  himself,  nor  suffer  his  escort  to 
remain.  Accordingly,  the  following  day,  he  returned  to 
Fort  Edward,  and  sent  up  a  detachment  to  reinforce  the 
garrison  at  Fort  William  Henry.  The  day  following  its 
arrival.  Montcalm  invested  the  fortress  with  a  force  of 
seven  thousand  French  and  Canadian  soldiers,  and  two 
thousand  Indians. 

To  resist  this  formidable  army,  there  were  only  twenty- 
five  hundred  men  in  the  garrison.  Their  commander, 
Colonel  Munroe,  was  a  gallant  officer,  and  worthy  of  the 
post  of  danger.  It  was  the  third  of  August,  when  Mont- 
calm  commenced  the  siege  with  a  summons  to  surrender. 
In  his  letter  to  Colonel  Munroe,  he  urged  the  capitulation 
by  considerations  of  humanity ;  declaring  that  he  had  an 
engine  of  such  fearful  power  in  his  hands,  that,  when  once 
set  in  motion,  it  would  be  impossible  to  check  or  control 
it.  His  influence  over  his  Indian  allies,  to  restrain  them 
from  the  commission  of  every  atrocity,  would  be  utterly 
lost,  as  soon  as  the  first  drop  of  blood  was  shed.  No  writ 
ten  answer  was  given  to  this  summons.  A  verbal  reply 
was  returned  by  the  bearer,  that  the  fort  would  be  defend 
ed  to  the  last  extremity. 

With  this  resolution,  the  garrison  held  out  until  the 
ninth.  In  the  meantime,  Colonel  Munroe  had  found 
means  to  send  several  expresses  to  Fort  Edward,  soliciting 
relief  in  the  most  urgent  manner,  and  declaring  his  inten 
tion  to  hold  out  till  relief  should  arrive.  But,  though  the 
force  at  that  place  had  been  considerably  increased  by  the 
arrival  of  General  Johnson's  troops,  and  the  militia,  Webb 
resolved  that  no  succor  could  be  afforded  to  the  beleaguer 
ed  fortress.  So  urgent,  however,  were  the  solicitations 
of  Sir  William  Johnson,  that,  after  several  days,  that 
worthy  officer,  with  as  many  as  would  volunteer  for  the 


72  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM 

service,  marched  for  its  relief.  The  privilege  was  eagerly 
embraced  by  the  provincials,  including  Putnam's  corps. 
They  had  scarcely  been  gone  an  hour,  however,  when  the 
general's  heart  failed  him,  and  a  messenger  \vas  dispatch 
ed,  ordering  their  instant  return. 

It  was  this  miserable,  shameful  pusillanimity,  on  the 
part  of  the  commander  of  the  northern  department,  that 
occasioned  the  loss  of  Fort  William  Henry,  and  the  bloody 
tragedy  that  followed  its  surrender.  When,  some  time 
after  this,  Putnam  was  a  prisoner  in  Canada,  he  wras  assur 
ed  by  Montcalm  himself,  that  the  siege  would  have  been 
abandoned,  if  this  reinforcement  had  been  suffered  to  go 
forward.  He  was  informed  of  its  approach  by  one  of  his' 
Indian  scouts  ;  who,  on  being  questioned  relative  to  its 
numbers,  replied,  in  the  figurative  style  peculiar  to  that 
people  :  "  If  you  can  count  the  leaves  on  the  trees,  you  can 
count  them.'*'' 

On  the  receipt  of  this  intelligence,  the  operations  of  the 
siege  were  actually  suspended,  and  preparations  were 
made  for  embarking  ;  while  it  was  manifest  that  a  new 
spirit  was  infused  into  the  besieged  by  the  assurance  which 
these  preparations  gave,  that  the  siege  was  about  to  be 
raised.  Meanwhile,  another  runner  carne  in,  and  reported 
that  this  formidable  reinforcement  had  been  recalled.  The 
siege  was,  consequently,  renewed  with  more  vigor  than 
ever. 

All  expectations  of  relief  were  now  at  an  end.  Two 
of  the  largest  guns  of  the  fort  had  burst  ;  their  ammunition 
was  almost  exhausted  ;  and  further  resistance  seemed 
obviously  unavailing.  At  this  juncture,  a  letter  was 
received  from  General  Webb,  advising  a  surrender,  and 
stating,  definitively,  that  no  succor  could  be  expected  from 
Fort  Edward.  Articles  of  capitulation  were,  accordingly, 
agreed  upon  and  signed  Honorable  terms  were  granted 


SHAMEFUL  MASSACRE  BY  THE  INDIANS    73 

to  the  garrison,  "  on  account  of  their  honorable  defence," 
as  it  was  expressed  in  the  articles.  They  were  to  march 
out  with  the  honors  of  war,  with  their  arms  and  baggage, 
and  retire  under  an  escort  to  Fort  Edward,  with  a  solemn 
pledge  of  protection  against  the  Indians.  This  pledge, 
however,  was  shamefully  disregarded.  The  scene' which 
followed  is  one  of  the  darkest  in  the  bloody  annals  of  war, 
and,  even  at  this  distant  day,  can  hardly  be  recited  with 
out  a  thrill  of  horror.  The  troops  began  their  march  of 
evacuation.  The  last  files  had  scarcely  issued  from  the 
gates,  when  the  whole  body  of  Indians  attached  to.  the 
French  array  fell  upon  them  with  the  fury  of  hungry 
tigers,  and  commenced  an  indiscriminate  slaughter.  Great 
numbers  were  killed.  Many  were  taken  prisoners,  and 
dragged  off  to  a  captivity  worse  than  death,  in  the  deep 
forests  of  the  west.  A  miserable  remnant  escaped,  among 
whom  was  the  gallant  Munroe,  and  reached  Fort  Edward 
in  a  most  forlorn  condition. 

Different  writers  have  taken  different  views  of  the  con 
duct  of  the  French  general,  in  relation  to  this  cruel  massa 
cre.  Some  declare,  as  the  testimony  of  those  who  were 
eye-witnesses  of  the  scene,  that  no  efforts  were  made  by 
the  French  to  arrest  these  atrocities  ;  no  protection,  de 
manded  alike  by  honor  and  humanity,  was  given  to  those 
to  whom  it  had  been  sacredly  pledged.  Others  say,  that 
the  utmost  exertions  of  the  French  commander  were  used 
to  restrain  his  savage  allies ;  and  that  he  and  his  officers 
did  everything,  except  firing  upon  the  Indians,  to  put  a 
stop  to  the  merciless  butchery.  For  the  honor  of  huma 
nity,  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  latter  judgment  is  correct ; 
and  charity  inclines  us  to  accept  it.  There  is  certainly 
something  to  sustain  it,  in  the  caution  which  accompanied 
the  original  summons  to  surrender. 

The  panic-stricken  Webb,  expecting  that  this  decisive 
4 


74        LIFE   OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 

victory  would  be  followed  up  by  a  similar  demonstration 
against  Fort  Edward,  sent  out  Captain  Putnam  with  his 
corps,  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy.  His  previous 
conduct  leaves  us  little  room  to  doubt,  that  he  would  have 
abandoned  his  post  at  once,  without  firing  a  gun,  if  Mont- 
calm  had  turned  his  face  in  that  direction.  With  such 
men  as  these  to  control  the  movements  of  the  army,  it  is 
no  matter  of  surprise,  that  the  earlier  campaigns  of  the 
Seven  Years'  war  presented  a  continual  series  of  disaster, 
defeat  and  desolation. 

Putnam  reached  the  scene  of  carnage,  just  as  the  rear 
guard  of  the  enemy  were  embarking  on  the  lake.  The 
fort  was  dismantled  and  demolished.  The  cannon,  stores  and 
water-craft  were  all  carried  off.  The  barracks,  outhouses 
and  sutlers'  booths  had  been  fired,  and  were  still  burning, 
and  hundreds  of  human  bodies  lay,  half  consumed,  among 
the  smoking  ruins.  More  than  one  hundred  women  were 
found  among  them,  some  with'the  brains  still  oozing  from 
their  battered  heads  ;  others  with  their  hairless  sculls  in 
ghastly  baldness,  the  entire  crown  having  been  wrenched 
away  ;  many  mangled,  lacerated,  hacked  to  pieces,  and 
violated  with  all  the  wanton  mutilations  of  savage  inge 
nuity,  lay  entirely  naked  among  the  heaps  of  the  slain  sol 
diers,  as  if  the  last  effort  of  the  wife  to  cling  to  her  hus 
band  for  protection,  and  the  last  wish  of  the  husband  to 
raise  his  arm  in  her  defence,  had  brought  down  a  tenfold 
vengeance  upon  the  heads  of  both.  To  the  generous, 
warm-hearted  Putnam,  whose  sympathies  were  ever  alive 
to  the  sufferings  of  his  comrades,  and  whose  constant  aim 
it  was  to  mitigate,  by  every  means  in  his  power,  the  hor 
rors  of  war,  the  spectacle  must  have  been  truly  appalling. 
We  feel,  as  we  shudder  over  the  dreadful  account,  that 
there  was  some  apology  for  the  exterminating  retribution, 
which  our  fathers  visited  upon  so  merciless  a  foe. 


FATIGUE-PARTY    ATTACKED    BY    INDIANS.    75 

Not  long  after  this  disaster,  General  Lyman  succeeded 
to  the  command  of  Fort  Edward.  He  immediately  set 
himself  to  strengthening  its  defences,  which  the  French 
commander  resolved,  if  possible,  to  prevent,  intending,  at 
an  early  day,  to  visit  it  in  the  same  manner  as  he  had  done 
Fort  William  Henry.  A  party  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
men  were  sent  out  into  the  neighboring  forest  to  cut  timber 
for  the  fort.  To  protect  them  in  their  labors,  Captain 
Little,  with  fifty  British  regulars,  was  posted  at  the  head 
of  a  morass,  about  one  hundred  rods  eastward  from  the 
fort.  From  this  station  there  was  a  narrow  causeway 
leading  to  the  fort,  flanked  on  one  side  by  the  morass,  and 
on  the  other  by  a  small  creek. 

One  morning,  at  break  of  day,  the  attention  of  one  of 
the  sentinels  was  arrested,  by  what  he  conceived  to  be 
birds,  coming  up  from  the  thicket  of  the  morass,  and  flying 
with  incredible  swiftness  over  his  head.  While  wonder 
ing  what  species  of  bird  it  could  be,  whose  flight  was 
so  rapid  as  to  elude  observation,  he  was  suddenly  enlight 
ened  by  seeing  one  of  these  winged  messengers,  in  the 
shape  of  an  Indian  arrow,  quivering  in  the  tree  just  over 
his  head.  A  large  body  of  savages  had  crept  stealthily 
into  the  morass  during  the  night,  and  were  attempting,  in 
this  manner,  to  pick  off  the  sentinel,  without  creating  an 
alarm,  in  order  to  surprise  and  cut  off  the  whole  party. 

The  alarm  was  instantly  given.  The  Indians,  finding 
themselves  discovered,  rushed  from  their  covert  upon  the 
unarmed  laborers,  shot  and  tomahawked  those  who  were 
nearest  at  hand,  and  pressed  hard  on  the  remainder,  as 
they  fled  in  dismay  towards  the  fort.  Captain  Little  and 
his  band  flew  to  their  arms,  and  pouring  in  a  well-timed 
and  spirited  fire,  checked  the  pursuit,  and  covered  the 
retreat  of  the  fatigue-men,  till  those  who  were  not  wound 
ed  in  the  first  onset,  were  enabled  to  reach  the  shelter  of 


76  LIFE      OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

the  fort.  His  little  party,  being  almost  overpowered  by 
superior  numbers,  he  sent  to  General  Lyman  for  assistance. 
But  that  commander,  taken  by  surprise,  ignorant  of  the 
extent  of  the  danger,  and  imagining  that  this  assault  was 
only  the  precursor  of  a  general  attack  from  the  main  body 
of  the  enemy,  called  in  his  outposts,  and  shut  the  gates, 
and  left  the  brave  band  to  their  fate. 

Major  Putnam,  with  his  corps  of  Rangers,  was  stationed 
at  one  of  the  outposts,  on  a  small  island  adjacent  to  the 
fort.  Hearing  the  discharge  of  the  musketry,  and  learning 
from  his  runners  that  his  friend,  Capt.  Little,  was  in  immi 
nent  peril  of  being  cut  off,  he  plunged  into  the  river,  fol 
lowed  by  his  men,  and  waded  through  the  water  to  the 
scene  of  action.  Passing  near  the  fort  on  his  way,  Gene 
ral  Lyman  was  apprised  of  his  movement.  Unwilling  that 
the  lives  of  a  few  more  brave  men  should  be  exposed 
to  what  he  deemed  inevitable  destruction,  he  mounted 
the  parapet,  and  ordered  him  to  proceed  no  farther.  The 
bold  ranger,  willing  to  jeopard  not  only  his  life,  but,  if  ne 
cessary,  his  standing,  in  order  to  rescue  his  friend,  made  a 
brief  apology,  and,  without  waiting  to  ascertain  whether  it 
was  satisfactory,  hurried  on  to  the  scene  of  conflict.  In  a 
few  minutes  they  had  opened  their  way  to  the  little  hand 
ful  of  regulars,  who  maintained  their  ground  with  the 
utmost  gallantry.  At  the  suggestion  of  Putnam,  the  whole 
party  now  rushed  impetuously,  with  shouts  and  huzzas, 
into  the  swamp.  The  charge  was  completely  successful. 
The  Indians  fled  in  every  direction,  and  were  pursued 
with  great  slaughter  until  night-fall.  On  the  part  of  the 
chase,  only  one  man  was  killed  during  the  pursuit ;  and 
his  death  was  immediately  revenged  by  that  of  the  Indian 
who  shot  him.  This  Indian  was  one  of  that  valuable  class, 
called  Runners — a  chosen  body  of  active  young  men, 
whose  principal  occupation  is  to  procure  intelligence,  and 


CENSURE     EXPECTED     BUT     ESCAPED.       77 

convey  tidings  ;  but  who  are  sometimes  employed  in  cov 
ering  the  rear  on  a  retreat. 

Returning  in  triumph  from  the  chase,  Putnam  expected 
a  reprimand,  if  not  something  more  severe,  from  his  com 
mander.  It  was  the  only  instance,  in  the  course  of  his 
military  career,  in  which  he  failed  to  render  the  strictest 
obedience  to  orders.  His  motive  in  this  case  was  highly 
commendable,  and  his  apology  was  strongly  fortified  by 
the  brilliant  success  of  his  sortie.  But  neither  purity  of 
motive,  nor  brilliancy  of  success,  can  sanction  a  departure 
from  the  rigid  rules  of  discipline,  which  are  absolutely 
necessary  to  the  maintenance  of  order  and  authority  in  the 
camp.  So  seductive  is  the  influence  of  a  brave  man's 
example,  particularly  when,  crowied  with  new  laurels, 
he  returns  from  some  splendid  achievement,  undertaken  in 
contravention  of  the  positive  orders  of  his  superior,  that, 
however  elevated  the  rank  of  the  officer,  or  however  meri 
torious  the  service  rendered,  it  would  not  be  well  to  pass 
it  by  unheeded.  According  to  the  ordinary  usages  of  war, 
Putnam  should  have  been  subjected  to  a  court-martial, 
immediately  on  his  return.  Why  this  usage  was  departed 
from  in  his  case  we  are  not  informed.  It  is  probable, 
however,  that  General  Lyman,  when  he  recovered  from 
his  alarm,  and  found  that  no  assault  was  intended,  was 
more  ready  to  admit  the  apology  of  his  subaltern,  than  he 
would  otherwise  have  been,  since  it  saved  him  from  the 
painful  reflection  that  a  brave  band  of  his  own  men  had 
been  unnecessarily  exposed  to  be  cut  in  pieces  by  a  supe 
rior  force.  He  chose  to  treat  his  order  rather  as  advisa- 
tory  than  peremptory,  and  commending  the  good  conduct 
of  his  men,  welcomed  them,  with  a  hearty  good  will,  to 
their  quarters. 

During  the  ensuing  winter,  when  the  army  were  com 
fortably  sheltered  in  their  quarters  at  Fort  Edward,  a  ^re 


78  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

broke  out  in  the  barracks,  adjacent  to  the  north-western 
bastion,  Within  twelve  feet  of  these  barracks  stood  the 
magazine,  containing  three  hundred  barrels  of  powder. 
The  fire  was  so  far  advanced,  when  it  was  first  discovered, 
that  it  raged  with  great  violence,  almost  bidding  defiance 
to  every  effort  to  extinguish  it.  By  the  orders  of  Colonel 
Haviland,  who  then  commanded  at  this  post,  several  pieces 
of  heavy  artillery  were  brought  to  bear  upon  the  barracks, 
with  a  view  of  severing  their  supporters,  and  thus  levelling 
them  to  the  ground.  The  effort  was  unsuccessful,  and 
the  flames  continued  to  spread  with  great  rapidity.  Major 
Putnam,  who  still  occupied  his  outpost  station  on  the  adja 
cent  island,  hearing  the  alarm,  and  seeing  the  smoke  and 
flames  rising  in  a  dense1  column  to  the  clouds,  hastened  to 
the  fort  to  render  what  assistance  he  could.  When  he 
arrived,  the  flames  were  spreading  fiercely  in  the  direction 
of  the  magazine,  which  was  now  in  imminent  danger. 

By  his  suggestion,  a  line  of  soldiers  was  formed  through 
a  postern  gate  to  the  river,  from  which  a  constant  supply 
of  water  was  conveyed.  Putnam,  mounting  a  ladder  to 
the  eaves  of  me  building,  received  the  water,  and  distri 
buted  it  upon  the  burning  rafters,  with  a  perseverance  that 
had  well  nigh  cost  him  his  life.  Notwithstanding  all  their 
efforts,  the  flames  continued  to  gain  upon  him,  but  he  stood 
to  his  post  undaunted,  completely  enveloped  in  smoke,  and 
so  near  the  sheet  of  flame,  that  a  pair  of  thick  blanket  mit 
tens  was  entirely  burned  from  his  hands.  Calling  for  ano 
ther  pair,  which  he  dipped  in  wrater  and  kept  thoroughly 
wet,  he  persevered  in  his  perilous  efforts  to  subdue  the 
devouring  element.  Colonel  Haviland,  considering  his 
situation  to  be  too  dangerous,  urged  him  to  come  down, 
and  try  some  other  means  that  involved  less  personal  expo 
sure.  He  replied  that  there  was  no  hope  but  in  resisting 
the  enemy  inch  by  inch,  and  that  a  moment's  suspension 


FIRE      IN      THE      GARRISON.  79 

of  their  efforts  might  give  it  an  advantage  which  would 
prove  fatal  to  them  all.  He  therefore  entreated  to  be  suf 
fered  to  remain,  while  there  was  the  smallest  chance  of 
accomplishing  anything  by  his  endeavors.  The  gallant 
Colonel,  not  less  astonished  than  charmed  at  the  coolness 
and  intrepidity  of  the  Major,  was  encouraged  to  renewed 
exertions.  He  gave  orders  to  arrest  the  movements  of 
the  men,  who  were  carrying  away  their  valuables  from  the 
fort,  and  animated  them  to  redoubled  diligence  in  their 
efforts  to  extinguish  the  flames,  exclaiming,  with  the  heroic 
enthusiasm  of  a  true  soldier,  "  If  we  must  be  blown  up,  we 
will  all  go  together." 

At  length  the  flames  had  spread  over  the  whole  extent 
of  the  barracks,  and  began  to  shoot  out  fearfully  toward 
the  magazine.  Putnam  descended  from  the  tottering  build 
ing,  took  his  station  between  it  and  the  magazine,  and  con 
tinued,  from  an  incessant  rotation  of  replenished  buckets, 
to  resist  their  further  progress.  His  efforts  were  bravely 
and  ably  seconded  by  officers  and  men.  So  near  was  the 
fire,  and  so  intense  the  heat,  that  the  outside  plank  sheath 
ing  of  the  magazine  was  soon  consumed,  leaving  only  a 
partition  of  timber  between  the  raging  element  and  a  de 
posit  of  fifteen  tons  of  powder.  When  this  partition, 
already  charred  and  smoking,  was  exposed  to  view,  the 
consternation  became  general  and  extreme.  Had  a  coun 
cil  of  war  been  convened  on  the  instant,  it  would  undoubt 
edly  have  ordered  a  precipitate  retreat.  But  the  heat  and 
enthusiasm  of  the  contest  left  no  room  for  consultation  or 
reflection.  It  was  an  hour  for  action,  not  for  debate.  Put 
nam,  still  undaunted,  covered  with  a  cloud  of  cinders, 
singed  and  scorched  on  every  side,  maintained  his  position, 
pouring  an  incessant  stream  of  water  upon  the  magazine, 
until  the  rafters  of  the  barracks  falling  in,  the  source  of  the 


SO  LIFE     OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

fire  was  cut  off,  and  the  safety  of  the  remaining  works  en 
sured. 

For  an  hour  and  a  half  he  had  contended  with  that  ter 
rible  element.  His  face,  his  hands,  his  arms,  and  almost 
his  whole  body  were  blistered  with  the  intensity  of  the 
heat,  to  which  he  had  been  exposed  ;  and  when  he  pulled 
off  his  second  pair  of  mittens,  the  skin  from  his  hands  and 
fingers  followed  them.  Several  weeks  elapsed,  before  he 
recovered  from  the  effects  of  this  exposure.  His  suffer 
ings  were  great,  but  he  was  amply  rewarded  by  the  warmly 
expressed  and  kind  attentions  of  his  commanding  officer, 
to  whom  his  remarkable  merits  in  the  service  had  already 
greatly  endeared  him,  as  well  as  by  the  consciousness  that 
he  had  been  instrumental  in  preserving  the  fortress,  and 
saving  the  lives  of  many,  perhaps  all  of  the  garrison 


CHAPTER    VI. 

CAMPAIGN    OF      1758.       ABERCROMBIE's     ASSAULT     UPON 
TICONDEROGA. 

Mr.  Pitt  Prime  Minister  of  England— Lord  Loudoun  superseded  by 

General  Abercrombie — Putnam  on  a  reconnoitering  expedition 

Constructs  a  small  parapet  at  South  Bay— Shoots  a  buck — Starts 
an  enemy— Molang  and  his  party — Their  stealthy  advance — Sud 
denly  arrested — A  sharp  conflict  in  the  dark — The  enemy  defeated 
in  an  attempt  to  turn  Putnam's  flank — Immense  loss  of  the  French 
— Putnam  orders  a  retreat — Unexpected  meeting  with  a  party  of 
friends— A  reinforcement— Ticonderoga — An  expedition  under 
General  Abercrombie  against  the  French — Skirmish  with  advanced 
guard— Death  of  Lord  Howe — His  high  reputation — His  death 
speedily  avenged — Putnam's  kindness  to  the  wounded — A  new 
encampment— The  assault — The  retreat— Major  Putnam's  activity 
— General  Abercrombie  responsible  for  the  disastrous  issue  of  the 
expedition. 

UP  to  the  commencement  of  the  year  1758,  little  else  than 
disaster  attended  the  arms  of  the  British  in  America.  So 
humiliating  was  the  result,  considering  the  formidable  pre 
parations  that  had  been  made  for  carrying  on  the  war, 
and  the  promptness  and  efficiency  with  which  the  colonies 
responded  to  the  requisitions  made  upon  them,  that  the 
king  was  compelled,  by  the  clamorous  voice  of  the  people, 
to  change  his  ministers.  A  new  and  powerful  administra 
tion  was  formed,  at  the  head  of  which  wras  Mr.  Pitt,  after 
ward  Lord  Chatham,  a  man  whose  pre-eminent  talents  and 
commanding  energy  of  character,  made,  and  kept,  the  name 
of  his  country  respected  in  every  quarter  of  the  globe 
4* 


82  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

He  assumed  the  helm  of  state  in  the  summer  of  1757, 
and  his  attention  was  at  once  directed  to  the  conduct  of 
the  war  in  this  country.  The  colonies,  justly  appreciating 
his  vigor  and  talents,  and  feeling  a  perfect  confidence  in 
his  administration,  renewed  their  generous  but  exhausting 
efforts  to  recruit  the  army  for  the  next  campaign.  The 
extent  of  their  exertions  can  only  be  understood,  when  it 
is  considered  that  Massachusetts,  Connecticut  and  Newr 
Hampshire  supplied  fifteen  thousand  men,  at  a  time  when 
their  combined  resources  could  hardly  have  been  equal  to 
those  of  any  one  of  them  at  the  present  moment. 

The  imbecile  Lord  Loudoun  was  recalled  ;  and  General 
Abercrombie  resumed  the  command  of  the  Northern  De 
partment.  Soon  after  his  arrival  at  Fort  Edward,  he 
ordered  Major  Putnam  to  proceed,  with  sixty  men,  to 
South  Bay,  at  the  lower  end  of  Lake  George,  for  the  pur 
pose  of  watching  the  motions  of  the  enemy,  and  intercept 
ing  their  straggling  parties.  In  compliance  with  these 
orders,  the  detachment  marched  to  Wood  Creek,  near  the 
point  where  it  flows  into  South  Bay,  and  immediately 
commenced  the  construction  of  a  parapet  for  defence,  in 
case  of  a  sudden  attack.  The  position  was  well  chosen, 
on  a  bank,  which  forms  a  jutting  precipice,  overhanging 
the  creek  ten  or  twelve  feet  above  the  water.  The  para 
pet  was  of  stone,  thirty  feet  in  length,  and  was  very  inge 
niously  concealed  from  the  view  of  any  one  who  might  be 
passing,  by  a  considerable  number  of  young  pines,  brought 
from  a  distance,  and  artfully  disposed  so  as  to  imitate  the 
natural  growth. 

The  service  of  a  scout  requires  the  utmost  caution  and 
silence  in  all  his  movements.  It  is  contrary  to  established 
rules,  and  universal  practice,  to  fire  a  gun,  except  at  an 
enemy  ;  or  to  make  any  other  noise  which  might  expose 
the  party  to  observation.  From  this  necessary  rule  of 


MOLANG      AND      HIS      PARTY.  83 

caution,  Putnam  was  obliged  for  once  to  deviate,  on  the 
fourth  day  after  the  completion  of  his  little  fortress.  Al 
though  he  had  sent  back  to  the  camp  fifteen  of  his  men 
who  were  disabled  by  sickness,  his  stock  of  provisions  was 
quite  exhausted.  A  tempting  opportunity  to  eke  out  his 
supply  for  another  day,  was  offered  by  the  appearance  of  a 
fine  fat  buck,  that  issued  from  the  wood,  with  intent  to 
swim  across  the  creek  in  the  vicinity  of  his  camp  ;  and 
the  prudent  scout  ventured  a  single  shot  to  bring  him  in. 
It  proved  in  the  issue  an  expensive  meal,  though  it  was, 
fortunately,  so  conducted  by  this  brave  little  band,  as  to 
throw  almost  the  entire  cost  upon  the  enemy. 

A  large  party  of  hostile  Indians  and  French  soldiers, 
under  the  celebrated  partizan  Molang,  was,  just  at  that 
time,  on  its  way  down  towards  the  American  encampment 
in  quest  of  plunder.  The  report  of  Major  Putnam's  mus 
ket  had  reached  the  ear  of  one  of  the  advanced  guard  of 
this  party,  and  created  a  suspicion  that  their  motions  were 
watched,  by  those  who  might  be  troublesome  to  them  in 
their  further  progress.  They,  therefore,  proceeded  with 
more  caution,  attempting  to  steal  a  passage  through  the 
creek  under  cover  of  the  night — hoping  thereby  either  to 
come  upon  their  opponents  by  surprise,  or  to  pass  by  them 
unnoticed  into  the  country  below.  Our  little  fortress  was 
so  completely  masked,  by  its  artificial  cover  of  fresh 
pines,  as  to  escape  detection  even  from  the  practised  eye 
of  an  Indian. 

About  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening,  one  of  the  sentinels 
stationed  at  the  margin  of  the  Bay,  gave  notice  that  a 
considerable  fleet  of  canoes,  filled  with  men,  was  making 
its  way  toward  the  mouth  of  the  creek.  Putnam  imme 
diately  called  in  all  his  sentinels,  and  posted  his  men  to 
the  best  advantage,  to  give  the  strangers  a  fitting  recep 
tion.  The  creek,  into  which  the  enemy  soon  entered,  was 


84  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

about  thirty  yards  wide  ;  and  the  bank  opposite  to  the 
parapet  was  twenty  feet  high.  The  moon  was  at  its  full, 
the  sky  wras  clear,  and  every  movement  of  the  canoes  was 
perfectly  in  view.  A  profound  silence  prevailed.  It  was 
intended  to  permit  the  van  of  the  little  fleet  to  pass,  and 
commence  the  attack  upon  the  centre  ;  and  the  major  had 
given  strict  orders  that  every  man  should  reserve  his  fire 
until  he  gave  the  signal.  A  few  of  the  most  advanced  of 
the  canoes  had  just  passed  the  parapet,  when  one  of  the 
soldiers  behind  it  accidentally  struck  his  firelock  against  a 
stone.  The  commanding  officer,  who  was  in  the  foremost 
canoe,  alarmed  at  the  noise,  checked  the  advance,  repeat 
ing  several  times,  and  with  earnestness,  the  Indian  watch 
word,  "O-wisk  !  "  Instantly  the  canoes- crowded  together 
in  a  confused  mass,  with  their  centre  precisely  in  front  of 
the  works,  covering  the  creek  for  a  considerable  distance 
above  and  below.  The  officers  appeared  to  be  in  deep 
consultation,  and  the  fleet  was  apparently  on  the  point  of 
retreating  into  the  Bay,  when  Putnam  gave  the  signal  to 
fire,  by  discharging  his  own  piece.  It  was  followed,  with 
terrible  effect,  by  a  volley  from  his  whole  party. 

Nothing  could  exceed  the  apparent  consternation  occa 
sioned  by  this  well-concerted  attack,  and  the  inextricable 
confusion  into  which  the  fleet  was  thrown.  Scarcely  a 
bullet  failed  to  find  its  victim,  amidst  the  dense  mass  of  the 
enemy  beneath,  whose  return  fire  was  little  better  than 
wasted  on  an  invisible  foe.  The  carnage  continued  for 
some  time,  when  Molang,  perceiving,  from  the  fire  of  his 
assailants,  that  their  numbers  were  small,  detached  a  party 
to  effect  a  landing  below,  and  attack  them  in  the  rear. 
The  movement  was  instantly  perceived  and  frustrated  by 
Putnam,  who  sent  the  brave  Lieutenant  Durkee,  with 
twelve  men,  to  prevent  their  landing.  He  arrived  in  good 
time,  and  drove  them  back  with  loss.  Another  small 


SUCCESSFUL      RETREAT.  85 

detachment,  under  Lieutenant  Parsons,  was  ordered  up 
the  creek,  to  prevent  any  similar  attempt  in  that  direction. 

Meanwhile,  Major  Putnam,  whose  party,  in  the  absence 
of  these  two  detachments,  was  reduced  to  twenty,  kept  up, 
through  the  whole  night,  an  incessant  and  deadly  fire  on 
the  main  body  of  the  enemy,  without  the  loss  of  a  single 
man  on  his  part.  After  day-break,  he  was  advised  that  a 
party  of  the  enemy  had  effected  a  landing,  at  a  considera 
ble  distance  below,  and  were  rapidly  advancing  to  cut  off 
his  retreat.  His  numbers  being  far  inferior  to  those  of  the 
French,  and  his  ammunition  being  almost  exhausted,  he 
ordered  a  hasty  retreat,  which  was  successfully  accom 
plished. 

During  this  long-continued  action,  in  which  the  Ame 
ricans  had  slain  at  least  five  times  their  own  number,  only 
two  of  their  party,  a  Provincial  and  an  Indian,  were 
wounded.  These  were  sent  off  for  the  camp,  under  cover 
of  the  night,  with  two  men  to  assist  them,  and  with  direc 
tions  to  proceed  by  way  of  Wood  Creek,  as  the  safest, 
though  not  the  shortest  route.  But,  having  taken  a  nearer 
way,  they  were  pursued  and  overtaken  hy  the  Indians  ; 
who  judged  from  the  blood  on  the  leaves,  that  they  were 
on  the  trail  of  the  whole  party.  When  they  were  over 
taken,  the  wounded,  despairing  of  mercy  at  the  hands  of 
their  pursuers,  and  unable  to  fly,  insisted  that  their  com 
rades,  who  were  unhurt,  should  make  their  escape — • 
which,  on  a  moment's  deliberation,  they  effected.  The 
Provincial,  whose  thigh  had  been  broken  hy  a  ball,  resolv 
ing  to  sell  his  life  as  dearly  as  possible,  fired  his  piece 
upon  the  approach  of  the  savages,  and  killed  three  of 
them  ;  after  which  he  was  quickly  despatched.  The 
Indian,  making  no  resistance,  was  made  a  prisoner. 

This  Indian  Major  Putnam  afterward  saw  while  he  was 
himself  a  prisoner  in  Canada,  and  learned  from  him  that 


86        LIFE   OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 

the  number  of  the  enemy  in  this  encounter  was  five  hun 
dred,  of  whom  fully  one  half  were  slain. 

His  brave  little  band,  now  reduced  to  forty,  had  pro 
ceeded  along  the  bank  of  the  creek  a  few  miles,  when 
Major  Putnam,  who,  as  usual,  was  in  front  of  his  men, 
was  fired  upon  by  a  party  near  at  hand.  Not  doubting 
that  it  was  a  party  of  his  late  antagonists,  who  had  stolen 
the  march  upon  him  and  headed  him  off,  and  feeling  that 
nothing  would  be  lost  in  assuming  a  bold  countenance  in 
so  critical  a  position,  he  ordered  his  men  to  rush  upon  the 
enemy,  promising  soon  to  give  as  good  an  account  of  them, 
as  of  those  whom  they  had  just  encountered  at  the  creek. 
No  sooner  was  his  voice  heard  in  the  charge,  than  an 
instant  reply,  "  Hold  !  we  are  all  friends  !  "  arrested  his 
hostile  movement,  and  brought  his  men,  with  their  bayo 
nets  poised,  and  their  feet  firmly  planted  for  an  onset,  to  a 
dead  halt.  A  scouting  party  of  Provincials  from  Fort 
Edward  immediately  joined  them.  "  We  are  friends, 
Major,"  exclaimed  the  leader,  "  and  supposed  we  were 
firing  upon  the  French."  "  Friends  or  foes,"  replied  Put 
nam,  u  you  all  deserve  to  be  hanged,  for  not  killing  more 
when  you  had  so  fair  a  shot."  It  was  indeed  wonderful, 
when  we  consider  what  expert  marksmen  most  of  the 
provincial  scouts  were,  and  how  completely  the  unsus 
pecting  Major  and  his  party  were  exposed  to  their  fire, 
that  only  one  of  their  number  was  mortally  wounded  in 
this  encounter. 

In  the  meantime,  one  of  the  soldiers,  whose  ammunition 
had  been  early  exhausted,  had  made  his  way  back  to 
Fort  Edward,  conveying  tidings  of  the  perilous  position  of 
the  party  ;  and  General  Lyman  was  immediately  dispatch 
ed,  at  the  head  of  five  hundred  men,  to  cover  their  retreat. 
They  met  them  at  the  distance  of  twelve  miles  from  the 
fort,  to  which  they  all  returned  in  safety  the  next  day. 


TICONDEROGA THE    ARMY    IN    MOTION.       87 

The  most  active  preparations  were  now  made  for  an 
assault  upon  Ticonderoga,  which  was  the  strong-hold  of 
the  French  in  this  part  of  America.  It  was  an  ill-con 
ducted,  ill-starred  expedition,  which  w'e  would  fain  pass 
over  in  silence  if  we  could.  The  site  of  this  fortress  is 
surrounded  on  three  sides  by  water.  On  the  fourth  it  is 
protected  by  a  loose  morass,  extending  a  considerable  dis 
tance.  Beyond  this,  a  line  of  fortification,  eight  feet  high, 
was  stretched  from  water  to  water,  and  planted  with  artil 
lery.  In  front  of  this  line,  for  the  distance  of  one  hundred 
yards,  the  plain  was  covered  with  large  trees,  cut  for  the 
purpose  of  defence,  and  arranged  with  their  interwoven 
and  sharpened  branches  projecting  outwards.  These  im 
pediments,  it  would  seem,  were  quite  sufficient  to  prevent 
any  prudent  commander  from  attempting  to  carry  the 
works  by  storm.  The  ground  was  impracticable  for  the 
movement  of  heavy  cannon  ;  and  the  engineer,  who  was 
employed  to  reconnoitre  the  position,  reported  that  the 
defences  might  be  carried  with  musketry.  The  adoption 
of  this  shallow  advice  was  precipitated  by  the  rumor,  that 
the  garrison,  consisting  of  over  five  thousand  men,  was  on 
the  point  of  receiving  a  large  reinforcement,  by  the  recall 
of  a  party  of  three  thousand  who  had  been  detached,  on 
other  service,  to  the  Mohawk  River. 

The  expedition  was  led  by  General  Abercrombie  in 
person.  His  force  consisted  of  sixteen  thousand  men,  of 
whom  nine  thousand  were  Americans.  It  was  attended 
by  a  very  formidable  train  of  artillery,  and  an  ample  supply 
of  ammunition  and  military  stores.  On  the  morning  of  the 
fifth  of  July,  they  embarked  in  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  whale-boats,  and  nine  hundred  batteaux,  and  moved 
slowly,  and  in  admirable  order,  down  Lake  George  ;  pre- 
seniing  a  brilliant  and  imposing  spectacle,  never  before 
seen  on  those  quiet  waters.  At  evening  they  reached 


88     LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM.  • 

Sabbath-day  Point — a  place  already  rendered  memorable 
by  Putnam's  successful  rencontre  with  his  pursuers. 
Here  they  halted  a  few  hours  for  refreshment,  and  then 
resumed  their  voyage.  Being  informed  that  the  place 
where  they  first  proposed  to  land  was  in  possession  of  the 
enemy,  they  bent  their  course  for  another,  where  they 
effected  a  landing  without  opposition. 

It  was  now  noon  of  the  sixth  day  of  July.  The  place 
of  debarkation  was  in  a  cove  on  the  west  side  of  the  lake. 
A  short  distance  from  this  place,  the  advanced  guard  of 
the  enemy,  consisting  of  one  battalion,  was  posted  in  a 
logged  camp.  The  troops  were  immediately  formed  into 
four  columns,  and  commenced  their  march  upon  the  ad 
vanced  guard  of  the  French,  who  made  a  precipitate 
retreat,  after  first  destroying  everything  of  value  in  their 
camp.  The  march  was  continued  towards  Ticonderoga, 
with  the  design  of  investing  the  place.  But  the  woods 
being  very  thick,  and  some  of  the  guides  unskilful,  the 
columns  were  broken,  thrown  into  confusion,  and  in  some 
measure  entangled  with  each  other.  Major  Putnam, 
whose  service,  as  we  have  before  explained,  was  often 
independent  of  the  main  body  of  the  provincial  forces,  was 
at  this  time  with  Lord  Howe,  in  the  van  of  the  right 
centre  column,  assisting  to  thread  the  intricacies  of  the 
forest.  As  they  were  moving  slowly  onward,  they  heard 
a  firing  on  their  left. 

"  Putnam,"  said  Lord  Howe,  "  what  means  that 
firing  ?" 

"  I  know  not,"  he  replied,  "  but,  with  your  lordship's 
leave,  I  will  see." 

u  1  will  accompany  you,"  rejoined  the  gallant  young 
nobleman. 

In  vain  did  the  Major  attempt  to  dissuade  him,  by  say 
ing  :  "  My  Lord,  if  I  am  killed,  the  loss  of  my  life  will 


DEATH      OF      LORD      HOWE.  89 

be  of  little  consequence  ;  but  the  preservation  of  yours  is 
of  infinite  importance  to  this  army."  The  only  answer 
was  : 

"  Putnam  !  your  life  is  as  dear  to  you  as  mine  is  to  me 
I  am  determined  to  go." 

One  hundred  of  the  van,  under  Major  Putnam,  filed  off 
with  Lord  Howe.  They  soon  fell  in  with  the  left  flank  of 
the  enemy's  advanced  guard,  which,  in  retreating  from 
its  late  position  on  the  lake,  had  lost  its  way  in  the 
\voods,  and  were  now  skirmishing  with  our  left.  An 
engagement  immediately  took  place.  Though  it  issued  in 
great  loss  to  the  French,  its  commencement  was  attended 
with  an  irreparable  disaster  to  the  British  and  American 
cause,  which  was  ominous  of  the  fate  of  the  expedition. 
Lord  Howe  fell  at  the  first  charge. 

The  army  could  not  have  sustained  a  heavier  loss.  He 
was  in  the  prime  of  manhood,  of  a  fine  person,  and  a  win 
ning  address,  eminent  for  manly  virtue,  and  distinguished 
for  every  amiable  accomplishment.  He  had  already  ac 
quired  an  enviable  military  fame,  which  gave  the  most 
brilliant  promise  for  the  future.  No  British  officer  was 
ever  employed  in  America,  who  had,  in  so  short  a  time, 
endeared  himself  so  universally  to  the  Provincial  troops, 
or  won  so  extensively  the  esteem  and  confidence  of  the 
people.  From  his  first  arrival  in  the  country,  he  had  ac 
commodated  himself,  in  all  respects,  to  the  peculiar  nature  of 
the  service,  and  to  the  customs  of  his  New  England  friends. 
An  example  to  the  officer,  a  friend  of  the  soldier,  a  model 
of  military  order  and  discipline,  h^  had  freely  encountered 
every  hazard,  and  shared  in  all  the  hardships  of  the  cam 
paign.  His  death  was  bewailed  as  a  public  loss. 

His  fall  was  immediately  avenged  by  his  exasperated 
troops,  with  Putnam  at  their  head,  who  charged  the  enemy 
with  desperate  intrepidity,  broke  through  their  ranks, 


90        LIFE   OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 

where  they  were  joined  by  several  small  parties  of  the 
Provincials,  and  attacked  them  again  furiously  in  the  rear. 
Three  hundred  of  the  enemy  were  killed,  and  one  hundred 
and  forty-eight  made  prisoners,  among  whom  were  five 
officers  and  three  cadets.  This  retrograde  movement 
brought  them  directly  upon  the  front  of  the  left  wing  of 
their  own  army,  who,  seeing  them  advancing  rapidly  over 
the  bodies  of  the  slain,  supposed  them  to  be  French,  and 
opened  upon  them  a  brisk  and  heavy  fire,  by  wrhich  one 
sergeant  and  several  privates  were  killed.  They  might 
thus  have  been  cut  in  pieces  by  their  own  friends,  had  not 
Putnam,  hazarding  his  own  life,  to  save  those  of  his  com 
rades,  rushed  in  the  face  of  the  flying  balls,  and  showing 
himself  to  his  friends,  put  a  stop  to  their  work  of  slaughter. 

No  farther  progress  was  made  on  this  day.  The  ad 
vanced  parties  of  the  American  army  were  called  in,  and 
the  French  kept  themselves  closely  within  their  entrench 
ments. 

Putnam  remained  on  the  field  while  the  light  lasted, 
employed  in  administering  to  the  comfort  of  such  of  the 
wounded  among  the  enemy,  as  could  .not  be  immediately 
removed.  He  furnished  them  with  such  refreshments  as 
he  could  procure,  supplied  them  with  blankets,  and  offer- 
ins;  them  a  soldier's  sympathy,  assured  them  they  should 
be  taken  to  the  camp  on  the  following  day,  and  be  cared 
for  as  friends,  for  an  enemy  disarmed  and  disabled  is  an 
enemy  no  longer. 

On  the  morning  of  the  seventh,  the  Americans  were  again 
in  motion,  and,  pushing  forward,  encamped  at  the  Saw 
Mills,  about  two  miles  from  the  fort.  They  were  nearly  four 
times  in  number  to  that  of  the  enemy.  There  can  be  little 
doubt,  if  they  had  proceeded  at  once  to  the  assault,  with 
out  giving  time  for  the  extension  of  the  formidable  abattis^ 
by  which  Montcalm  had  now  bristled  the  entire  space  in 


BATTLE      OF      TICONDEROGA  91 

front  of  his  lines,  they  would  have  brought  the  campaign 
to  a  successful  issue.  Instead  of  this,  however,  they  de 
layed  the.ir  movements  till  these  works  were  completed  ; 
which,  while  they  rendered  useless  the  heavy  train  of 
English  artillery,  formed  impenetrable  barriers  to  the  order 
ly  advance  of  the  infantry. 

The  eighth  was  the  fatal  day  fixed  for  the  assault.  Sir 
William  Johnson,  with  a  re-inforcement  of  four  hundred 
and  forty  Indians,  arrived  in  the  camp  at  sunrise.  At 
seven  o'clock,  the  movement  of  the  army  commenced, 
being  slightly  impeded  by  a  brief  and  unfruitful  skirmish, 
between  the  rangers  and  a  party  of  the  enemy  in  ambush. 
These  being  dispersed,  and  the  advance-guard  driven  in,  a 
general  assault  was  made  upon  the  works,  soon  after  ten. 
Notwithstanding  the  height  of  the  breast-work,  and  the 
obstacles  arising  from  the  peculiar  character  of  the  de 
fences,  an  attempt  was  made  to  scale  it.  This  perilous 
service  was  led  by  Major  Proby,  who  fell,  in  the  first 
onset,  within  a  few  yards  of  the  works.  The  attempt  to 
carry  them  by  storm  was  repeated  several  times  during 
four  hours,  attended  with  a  tremendous  loss  on  the  part 
of  the  assailants.  The  enemy,  securely  entrenched  be 
hind  their  fortifications,  suffered  comparatively  little. 

Finding  that  the  works  could  not  be  carried  by  light- 
armed  troops,  and  the  nature  of  the  ground  precluding  the 
possibility  of  bringing  the  heavy  artillery  to  bear,  a  retreat 
was  ordered,  and  further  operations  against  this  post  aban 
doned.  Major  Putnam,  who  had  acted  as  Aid  in  bringing 
the  Provincial  regiments  successively  to  action,  assisted, 
with  his  usual  coolness  and  intrepidity,  in  covering  the 
retreat,  that  being  the  post  of  danger,  and  the  one  to  which 
he  was  generally  assigned. 

Considering  all  the  circumstances,  this  defeat  was  as 
disgraceful  to  General  Abercrombie,  as  it  was  disastrous 


92        LIFE   OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 

to  his  army.  The  attack,  though  bravely  attempted  and 
boldly  sustained  by  the  soldiers,  was  ill-concerted  and  ill- 
timed.  It  was  delayed  until  the  French  defences  were 
completed  ;  and  then  abandoned,  when  the  numbers  of  the 
assailants  were  more  than  double  those  of  the  enemy,  and 
amply  provided  with  all  the  means  for  investing  the  fortress, 
cutting  off  all  communication  with  the  surrounding  coun 
try,  and  so  reducing  it  by  famine,  without  the  necessity  of 
hazarding  a  battle  on  such  unequal  terms.  Had  the  con 
duct  of  this  expedition  been  committed  to  American  offi 
cers,  it  would  probably  have  terminated  as  fatally  to  Mont- 
calm,  as  his  own  assault  upon  Fort  William  Henry,  in  the 
previous  campaign,  had  done  to  the  English  ;  though  it 
would  not,  like  that,  have  been  followed  by  a  treacherous 
massacre  of  an  unarmed  and  surrendered  garrison. 

There  fell  in  this  disastrous  assault,  of  the  British  regu 
lars,  four  hundred  and  sixty-four  killed,  and  eleven  hun 
dred  and  seventeen  wounded  ;  of  the  Provincials,  eighty- 
seven  killed,  and  two  hundred  and  thirty-nine  wounded  ; 
thirty-seven  more  were  missing — making  a  total  of  nine 
teen  hundred  and  forty-four.  The  loss  of  the  French 
did  not  much  exceed  five  hundred. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

CAMPAIGN     OF     1758    CONTINUED.       MAJOR     PUTNAM    A 
PRISONER 

Putnam's  perilous  escape  down  the  rapids  of  the  Hudson — Supersti 
tious  notion  of  the  Indians — Putnam  and  Rogers  pursuing  a  party 
of  French  Rangers— Lying  in  wait  at  South  Bay  and  Wood  Creek 
— Discovered — Rogers'  incautious  sport — Molang  in  ambush — Our 
Rangers  threading  the  forest — Putnam  in  the  van — The  ambush 
springs  upon  him — He  is  made  a  prisoner  by  an  Indian — His 
perilous  position  during  the  fight — The  French  retreat,  taking  Put 
nam  with  them— His  cruel  treatment — Severely  wounded  in  the 
cheek — About  to  be  burned  alive— Rescued  by  Molang — Compara 
tive  humanity  of  his  captor — His  ludicrous  confinement  at  night — 
Arrival  at  Ticonderoga — Carried  to  Montreal — Kindness  of  Col. 
Schuyler— He  contrives  to  have  Putnam  included  in  a  cartel  of 
exchange — The  return — Story  of  Mrs.  Howe. 

IN  the  course  of  this  season  several  remarkable  adventures 
occurred  to  our  hero,  in  which  the  public  interests  were 
little  concerned,  but  which  are  still  worthy  of  record,  as 
illustrating  the  character  of  the  man,  and  the  vicissitudes 
of  the  service. 

One  day,  as  Major  Putnam  chanced  to  be  with  a  few 
men  in  his  boat,  on  the  eastern  shore  of  the  Hudson,  very 
near  the  head  of  the  rapids  at  Fort  Miller,  he  was  suddenly 
warned  from  the  opposite  shore,  that  a  large  number  of 
Indians  were  close  in  his  rear,  and  would  be  upon  him  in 
an  instant.  To  remain  where  he  was  and  be  sacrificed — 
to  attempt  crossing  the  river  exposed  to  the  almost  unerr 
ing  rifles  of  the  Indians — or  to  go  down  the  falls,  with  an 


94  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

almost  certainty  of  being  dashed  on  the  rocks  and  drowned 
— were  the  only  alternatives  left  to  his  choice.  The  In 
dians  arrived  at  the  shore,  in  season  to  fire  a  number  of 
balls  at  the  bateau,  before  it  could  be  fairly  got  under  way. 
One  man,  who,  being  at  a  little  distance  from  his  party  on 
shore,  had  not  tiine  to  reach  the  boat,  was  instantly  seized 
and  killed.  No  sooner  had  the  bateau  men,  by  favor  of 
the  rapidity  of  the  current,  escaped  beyond  the  reach  of 
musket  shot,  than  death  seemed  only  to  have  been  avoided 
in  one  form,  to  be  encountered  in  another  no  less  terrible. 
Prominent  rocks,  latent  shelves,  and  abrupt  descents,  for 
near  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  afforded  scarcely  the  smallest 
chance  of  escaping  without  a  miracle. 

Putnam  trusting  himself  to  a  Providence,  whose  kind 
ness  he  had  often  experienced,  rather  than  to  men,  whose 
tender  mercy  is  cruelty,  was  now  seen  to  place  himself 
calmly  at  the  helm,  affording  an  astonishing  spectacle  of 
serenity.  His  companions,  with  a  mixture  of  terroi, 
admiration,  and  wonder,  saw  him  incessantly  changing 
his  course,  to  avoid  the  jaws  of  ruin  that  seemed  to  expand 
to  swallow  the  whirling  boat.  Twice  he  turned  it  quite 
round  to«hun  the  rifts  of  rocks.  Amidst  those  eddies  in 
which  there  was  the  greatest  danger  of  its  foundering,  at 
one  moment  the  sides  were  exposed  to  the  fury  of  the 
waves  ;  then  the  stern,  and  next  the  bow  glanced  obliquely 
onward,  with  inconceivable  velocity.  With  no  less 
amazement,  the  gazing  savages  beheld  him  sometimes 
mounting  the  billows,  then  plunging  abruptly  down  ;  at 
other  times  dexterously  veering  from  the  rocks,  and  shoot 
ing  through  the  only  narrow  passage  ;  until  at  last  they 
viewed  the  boat  safely  gliding  on  the  smooth  surface  of 
the  stream  below  !  At  this  extraordinary  sight,  it  is  said 
that  these  rude  sons  of  nature  were  affected  with  the  same 
kind  of  superstitious  veneration  which  the  Europeans  in 


RANGING  95 

the  dark  ages  entertained  for  some  of  their  most  valiant 
champions.  They  regarded  him  as  possessed  of  "  a 
charmed  life,'/J  and  conceived  it  would  be  a  sin  against  the 
Great  Spirit  to  attempt  to  kill  him  with  powder  and  ball, 
if  they  should  ever  recognise  him  at  a  future  period. 
It  will  be  seen,  in  the  sequel,  that  some  others  of  the  same 
race  were  not  affected  by  their  impressions,  or  not  dispos 
ed  to  push  these  superstitious  scruples  so  far,  as  to  deny 
themselves  the  satisfaction  of  trying  the  efficacy  of  the 
tomahawk,  and  subjecting  him  to  the  ordeal  of  fire. 

In  the  month  of  August,  Major  Putnam  was  deserted  by 
the  good  fortune  which  had  hitherto  attended  him,  and 
made  the  subject  of  a  series  pf  adventures  and  perils, 
which  seem,  in  many  particulars,  more  like  romance,  than 
a  sober  tale  of  real  life.  A  train  of  baggage  teams  having 
been  cut  off  by  a  large  party  of  the  enemy's  rangers,  a 
corps  of  about  eight  hundred  men,  under  the  command  of 
Majors  Rogers  and  Putnam,*  was  dispatched  to  head  the 
party,  and  cut  it  off.  So  rapid  was  the  retreat,  however, 
that  the  enemy  had  reached  their  canoes,  and  embarked, 
before  their  pursuers  could  come  up  with  them  ;  though 
they  were  not  so  far  in  advance  but  that  their  shouting- 
was  heard  in  the  distance. 

Defeated  in  this  expedition,  the  party  was  now  separat 
ed  into  two  equal  divisions,  Rogers  taking  his  station  with 
one  half,  at  South  Bay,  and  Putnam,  with  the  other,  at 
Wood  Creek,  twelve  miles  distant.  It  was  their  hope  to 
surprise  some  straggling  party  of  the  enemy,  or  in  some 
other  way  retaliate  upon  them  the  loss  they  had  just  expe 
rienced.  But,  being  discovered  by  the  enemy's  scouts, 
they  deemed  it  expedient  to  re-unite  their  forces  at  Wood 
Creek,  and  return  without  delay  to  head-quarters,  at  Fort 
Edward.  Their  march  was  a  difficult  one,  through  thick 
*  Holmes'  Orderly  Book. 


96        LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 

woods  rendered  almost  impassable  by  fallen  trees,  and  a 
thrifty  undergrowth.  They  were  obliged  to  advance  in 
Indian  file,  Putnam  in  the  van,  Captain  Dalyell  in  the 
centre,  and  Rogers  bringing  up  the  rear.  The  first  night, 
they  encamped  on  the  bank  of  Clear  River,  not  far  from 
the  site  of  the  old  Fort  Anne. 

The  next  morning,  before  resuming  their  march,  Major 
Rogers,  with  a  singular  forgetful  ness  of  those  precautions 
to  which  rangers  are  often  indebted,  for  success  in  their 
enterprises,  and  security  to  their  persons,  amused  himself 
by  a  trial  of  skill  with  a  British  officer,  in  firing  at  a  mark, 
— an  act, of  fool-hardy  imprudence,  which  was  followed 
by  the  loss  of  many  valuable  lives. 

Immediately  on  the  discovery  of  the  two  parties  at  South 
Bay  and  Wood  Creek,  the  celebrated  French  partizan, 
Molang,  was  detached  from  Ticonderoga,  with  five  hun 
dred  men,  to  intercept  them.  He  was  now  so  near  their 
encampment,  that  the  report  of  this  firing  reached  his 
ears,  and  guided  him  at  once  to  their  position.  Availing 
himself  skilfully  of  this  gratuitous  information,  he  hastened 
to  lay  an  ambuscade  in  that  part  of  the  wood  through 
which  his  enemy  was  to  pass,  where  he  could  do  the 
most  damage  to  them,  with  the  least  damage  to  himself. 

The  march  having  proceeded  about  a  mile  from  their 
encampment,  Major  Putnam  was  about  emerging  from  the 
thicket  into  the  common  forest,  when  the  enemy,  starting 
up  from  his  ambush,  with  horrid  yells  and  discordant 
whoops,  commenced  a  furious  attack  upon  the  right  of  his 
division.*  Putnam  was  surprised,  but  not  dismayed. 
He  returned  the  fire  of  his  assailants,  with  his  accustomed 
spirit,  and  immediately  passed  the  word  for  the  other 

*  The  incidents  of  this  engagement,  and  of  the  captivity  of  Put 
nam,  are  given,  with  a  few  verbal  alterations,  in  the  language  of 
Colonel  Humphreys. 


CAPTURED      BY      AN      INDIAN.  97 

divisions  to  advance  to  his  support.  Dalyell  moved  rapidly 
up,  and  a  brisk  engagement  commenced.  Though  the 
action  was  widely  scattered,  and  principally  between  man 
and  man,  it  soon  grew  general  and  intensely  warm.  Ro 
gers  did  not  come  up  with  Dalyell,  but,  as  he  afterward 
declared,  formed  a  circular  file  between  the  other  two 
divisions  and  the  creek,  so  as  to  prevent  their  being  taken 
in  the  rear,  or  enfiladed*  It  was  a  singular  movement  in 
one,  who,  according  to  his  own  journal,  was  the  master 
spirit  of  the  expedition  ;  and,  though  not  censured  by  his 
superiors,  did  riot  escape  the  imputation,  in  the  army,  of 
being  instigated  by  an  unworthy  motive. 

Putnam,  rinding  that  it  would  be  impracticable  to  cross 
the  creek,  determined  to  maintain  his  ground.  Inspired 
by  his  example,  the  officers  and  men  behaved  with  great 
bravery,  sometimes  righting  in  masses,  in  open  view,  with 
as  much  order  as  the  nature  of  the  ground  would  allow, 
and  then  individually  and  under  cover,  after  the  Indian 
fashion,  each  one  sheltering  himself  behind  a  tree,  and  act 
ing  in  a  manner  independent  of  his  party.  For  himself 
having  discharged  his  fusee  several  times,  it  at  length 
missed  fire,  while  the  muzzle  was  pressed  against  the 
breast  of  a  large  and  powerful  Indian.  This  warrior,  avail 
ing  himself  of  the  unprotected  attitude  of  his  adversary, 
with  a  tremendous  war-whoop,  sprang  forward,  with  his 
lifted  hatchet,  and  compelled  him  to  surrender.  He  was 
immediately  disarmed  and  bound  to  a  tree,  while  his  cap 
tor  returned  to  the  battle. 

Notwithstanding  the  capture  of  their  bravest  officer,  the 
engagement  vas  continued  by  the  resolute  men  under 
Captains  Dalyell  and  Harman.  But  their  numbers  being 
greatly  inferior  to  their  adversaries,  they  were  forced  to 
give  ground  for  a  few  moments.  The  savages,  conceiving 
this  to  be  the  commencement  of  a  retreat,  immediately 
5 


98  LIFE      OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

made  a  new  and  impetuous  onset,  with  redoubled  cries,  as 
if  sure  of  victory.  It  was  a  momentary  advantage  which 
they  gained.  Our  intrepid  partizans  having  collected 
together  a  handful  of  brave  men,  gave  their  pursuers  such 
a  warm  reception,  that  they,  in  their  turn,  were  forced 
back  beyond  the  ground  upon  which  the  action  com 
menced.  This  movement  brought  the  tree  to  which 
Putnam  was  bound  directly  between  the  fire  of  the  two 
parties.  It  is  scarcely  possible  to  imagine  a  more  despe 
rate  situation  ;  a  mark  alike  for  every  random  shot  of 
friends  or  foes.  The  balls  Hew  incessantly  from  either 
side.  Many  struck  the  tree,  while  some  passed  through 
the  sleeves  and  skirts  of  his  coat.  So  equally  balanced 
and  so  obstinate  was  the  fight,  that  he  was  kept  in  this 
trying  situation  more  than  an  hour.  During  this  time,  he 
was  twice  exposed  to  the  mischievous  malice  of  his  un 
feeling  enemies.  A  young  Indian  warrior  coming  up,  and 
seeing  the  white  chief  confined  in  that  awkward  position, 
hurled  a  tomahawk  several  times  at  his  head  ;  rather 
as  if  he  were  amusing  himself  with  a  mark,  than  with  any 
settled  purpose  to  despatch  his  victim.  So  unerring  was 
the  savage's  aim,  that  the  weapon  several  times  grazed 
his  skin,  and  stuck  in  the  tree  by  the  side  of  his  head. 

When  the  young  savage  had  satisfied  himself  with  this 
amusement,  one  of  the  inferior  French  officers  came  up, 
and  levelling  his  musket  at  his  breast,  attempted  to  dis 
charge  it.  It  missed  fire.  In  vain  did  the  intended  victim 
of  his  malice  solicit  the  treatment  due  to  his  situation,  by 
declaring  that  he  was  a  prisoner  of  war.  The  degenerate 
Frenchman  did  not  understand  the  language  of  honor  or 
of  nature.  Deaf  to  their  voice,  and  dead  to  sensibility,  he 
violently  and  repeatedly  pushed  the  muzzle  of  his  gun 
against  Putnam's  ribs,  and  finally  gave  him  a  cruel  blow 
on  the  jaw  with  the  butt-end  of  his  piece,  and  left  him. 


SEVERELY   USED   AND   TORTURED.     99 

At  length  the  active  intrepidity  of  Dalyell  and  Harman, 
seconded  by  the  persevering  valor  of  their  followers,  pre 
vailed.  They  drove  from  the  field  the  enemy,  who  left 
about  ninety  dead  behind  him.  As  they  were  retiring, 
Putnam  was  untied  by  the  Indian  who  had  made  him 
prisoner,  and  whom  he  sometimes  called  master.  Having 
been  conducted  a  considerable  distance  from  the  place  of 
action,  he  was  stripped  of  his  coat,  vest,  stockings  and 
shoes  ;  loaded  with  as  many  of  the  packs  of  the  wounded 
as  could  be  piled  upon  him,  strongly  pinioned,  and  his 
wrists  held  together  as  closely  as  they  could  be  pulled  by 
a  cord.  After  he  had  marched  in  this  painful  manner  for 
many  tedious  miles,  through  unpleasant  paths,  the  fatigued 
party  halted  to  breathe.  His  hands  were  now  immode 
rately  swelled  from  the  tightness  of  the  ligature,  and  the 
pain  had  become  intolerable.  His  feet  were  severely 
scratched,  so  that  the  blood  flowed  freely  from  them.  Ex 
hausted  with  bearing  a  burden  above  his  strength,  and 
frantic  with  torments  exquisite  beyond  endurance,  he 
entreated  the  Irish  interpreter  to  implore,  as  the  last  and 
only  grace  he  desired  of  his  captors,  that  they  would 
knock  him  on  the  head  and  take  his  scalp  at  once,  or  loose 
his  hands.  A  French  officer,  instantly  interposing,  order 
ed  his  hands  to  be  unbound,  and  some  of  the  packs  to  be 
taken  off.  By  this  time  the  Indian  who  captujred  him,  and 
who  had  been  absent  with  the  wounded,  coming  up,  gave 
him  a  pair  of  moccasins,  and  expressed  great  indignation 
at  the  unworthy  treatment  his  prisoner  had  received. 

That  chief,  being  obliged  again  to  return  to  the  care 
of  the  wounded,  the  Indians,  about  two  hundred  in  num 
ber,  went  on  before  the  rest  of  the  party  to  the  place 
where  the  whole  were  that  night  to  encamp.  They  took 
with  them  Major  Putnam,  on  whom,  besides  innume 
rable  other  outrages,  they  had  the  barbarity  to  inflict  a 


100  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

deep  wound  with  a  tomahawk  in  the  left  cheek.*  His 
sufferings  were  in  this  place  to  be  consummated.  A  scene 
of  horror,  infinitely  greater  than  had  ever  met  his  eyes  be 
fore,  was  preparing.  It  was  determined  to  roast  him  alive. 
For  this  purpose  they  led  him  into  a  dark  forest,  stripped 
him  naked,  bound  him  to  a  tree,  and  piled  dry  brush,  witb 
other  fuel,  at  a  small  distance  in  a  circle  around  him. 
They  accompanied  their  labors,  as  if  for  his  funeral  dirge, 
with  screams  and  sounds  inimitable  but  by  savage  voices. 
Then  they  set  the  pile  on  fire.  A  sudden  shower  damped 
the  rising  flames.  Still  they  strove  to  kindle  it,  until  at 
last  the  blaze  ran  fiercely  round  the  circle.  Major  Putnam 
soon  began  to  feel  the  scorching  heat.  His  hands  were  so 
tied  that  he  could  move  his  body.  He  often  shifted  sides 
as  the  fire  approached.  This  sight,  at  the  very  idea  of 
which  all  but  savages  must  shudder,  afforded  the  highest 
diversion  to  his  inhuman  tormentors,  who  demonstrated  the 
delirium  of  their  joy  by  correspondent  yells,  dances  and 
gesticulations.  He  saw  that  his  final  hour  was  inevitably 
come.  He  summoned  all  his  resolution,  and  composed 
his  mind,  as  far  as  the  circumstances  would  admit,  to  bid 
an  eternal  farewell  to  all  he  held  most  dear.  To  quit  the 
world  would  scarcely  have  cost  a  single  pang,  but  for  the 
idea  of  home — but  for  the  remembrance  of  domestic  en 
dearments,  of  the  affectionate  partner  of  his  soul,  and  of 
their  beloved  offspring.  His  thought  was  ultimately  fixed 
on  a  happier  state  of  existence,  beyond  the  tortures  he  was 
beginning  to  endure,  The  bitterness  of  death,  even  of 
that  death,  which  is  accompanied  with  the  keenest  agonies, 
was,  in  a  manner,  past — and  all  the  concerns  of  time  seemed 

*  Rev.  Dr.  Holmes,  in  his  Annals  of  America,  speaking  of 
this  incident,  says:  "A  deep  scar  on  the  cheek  of  that  veteran  war 
rior  (Putnam)  is  well  remembered  by  the  writer,  who  believes  it  was 
from  the  wound  inflicted  by  the  tomahawk."  —Annals,  Vol.  ii.,  p.  523. 


AN      UNCOMFORTABLE      NIGHT.  101 

as  nothing  in  the  near  view  of  eternity — when  a  French 
officer  rushed  through  the  crowd,  opened  a  way  by  scat 
tering  the  brands,  and  unbound  the  victim.  It  was  Mo- 
lang  himself;  to  whom  an  Indian,  unwilling  to  witness  the 
immolation  of  another  human  sacrifice,  had  run  and  com 
municated  the  tidings.  That  commandant  spurned  and 
severely  reprimanded  the  barbarians,  whose  nocturnal 
pow-wows  and  hellish  orgies  he  suddenly  ended.  Put 
nam  did  not  want  for  feeling  or  gratitude.  The  French 
commander,  fearin-g  to  trust  him  alone  with  them,  remain 
ed  until  he  could  deliver  him  in  safety  into  the  hands  of 
his  master. 

The  savage  approached  his  prisoner  kindly,  and  seemed 
to  treat  him  with  particular  affection.  He  offered  him 
some  hard  biscuits,  but  finding  that  he  could  not  chew 
them,  on  account  of  the  blow  he  had  received  from  the 
Frenchman,  and  the  wound  of  the  tomahawk,  this  more 
humane  savage  soaked  some  of  the  biscuit  in  water,  till 
it  was  sufficiently  soft  to  be  swallowed  without  effort. 
Determined,  however,  not  to  loose  his  captive,  though  he 
was  willing  to  treat  him  kindly,  he  took  the  moccasins 
from  his  feet,  and  tied  them  to  one  of  his  wrists  ;  then  di 
recting  him  to  lie  down  upon  his  back  on  the  bare  ground, 
he  stretched  one  arm  to  its  full  length,  and  bound  it  fast  to 
a  young  tree  ;  the  other  arm  was  extended  and  bound  in 
the  same  manner  ;  his  legs  were  stretched  apart,  and  fas 
tened  to  two  sapljngs.  Then  a  number  of  tall  but  slender 
poles  were  cut  down,  which,  with  some  long  bushes,  were 
laid  across  his  body  from  head  to  foot ;  on  each  side  lay 
as  many  Indians  as  could  conveniently  find  lodging,  in 
order  to  prevent  the  possibility  of  his  escape.  In  this  dis 
agreeable  and  painful  posture  he  remained  until  morning. 
During  this  night,  the  longest  and  most  dreary  conceivable, 
our  hero  used  to  relate  that  he  felt  a  ray  of  cheerfulness 


102  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

come  casually  across  his  mind,  and  could  not  even  refrain 
from  smiling,  when  he  reflected  on  this  ludicrous  group 
for  a  painter,  of  which  he  himself  was  the  principal  figure. 

The  next  day  he  was  allowed  his  blanket  and  moccasins, 
and  permitted  to  march  without  carrying  any  pack,  or 
receiving  any  insult.  To  allay  his  extreme  hunger,  a  little 
bear's  meat  was  given,  which  he  sucked  through  his  teeth. 
At  night,  the  party  arrived  at  Ticonderoga,  and  the  pri 
soner  was  placed  under  the  care  of  a  French  guard.  The 
savages,  who  had  been  prevented  from  glutting  their  diabo 
lical  thirst  for  blood,  took  other  opportunity  of  manifesting 
their  malevolence  for  the  disappointment,  by  horrid  gri 
maces  and  angry  gestures  ;  but  they  were  suffered  no  more 
to  offer  violence  or  personal  indignity  to  him. 

After  having  been  examined  by  the  Marquis  de  Mont- 
calm,  Major  Putnam  was  conducted  to  Montreal  by  a 
French  officer,  who  treated  him  with  the  greatest  indul 
gence  and  humanity. 

At  this  place  there  were  at  this  time  several  pri 
soners.  Colonel  Schuyler,  remarkable  for  his  philanthropy, 
generosity  and  friendship,  was  one  of  the  number.  No 
sooner  had  he  heard  of  Major  Putnam's  arrival,  than  he 
went  to  the  interpreter's  quarters,  and  inquired  whether 
he  had  a  Provincial  Mnjor  in  his  custody.  He  found 
Major  Putnam  in  a  comfortless  condition — without  coat, 
waistcoat  or  hose  ;  the  remnant  of  his  clothing  miserably 
dirty  and  ragged  ;  his  beard  long  and  squalid  ;  his  legs 
torn  by  thorns  and  briars  ;  his  face  gashed  with  wounds, 
and  swollen  with  bruises.  Colonel  Schuyler,  irritated 
beyond  all  sufferance  at  such  a  sight,  could  scarcely  re 
strain  his  speech  within  limits,  consistent  with  the  pru 
dence  of  a  prisoner,  and  the  meekness  of  a  Christian.  On 
his  remonstrance,  Major  Putnam  was  immediately  treated 
according  to  his  rank.  He  was  also  clothed  in  a  decent 


KINDNESS      OF      COL.     SCHUYLER.  103 

manner,  and  supplied  with  money,  by  that  liberal  and  sym 
pathizing  patron  of  the  distressed. 

While  on  this  dismal  journey  an  attempt  was  made  to 
try  the  strength  of  Putnam's  nerves.  Exhausted  with  the 
tedious  march  of  the  previous  day,  he  was  sleeping  soundly 
on  the  bare  earth,  some  time  after  the  remainder  of  the 
party  had  shaken  off  their  slumbers,  and  were  preparing 
tor  a  new  start.  A  proposition  was  made  to  frighten  the 
Major.  Accordingly  a  musket  was  loaded  with  a  double 
charge,  faithfully  rammed  home,  placed  within  an  inch  of 
his  head  as  he  lay,  and  discharged.  Instead,  however,  of 
starting  suddenly  up,  and  staring  wildly  round,  to  see  what 
might  be  the  matter,  he  just  muttered  out,  "  That's  a  good 
one,"  turned  on  the  other  side,  and  adjusted  himself  for 
another  nap. 

The  capture  of  Frontenac,  by  Colonel  Bradstreet, 
afforded  occasion  for  an  exchange  of  prisoners.  Colonel 
Schuyler  was  comprehended  in  the  cartel.  A  generous 
spirit  can  never  be  satisfied  with  imposing  tasks  for  its 
generosity  to  accomplish.  Apprehensive,  if  it  should  be 
known  that  Putnam  was  a  distinguished  partisan,  that  his 
liberation  might  be  retarded,  and  knowing  that  there  were 
officers  who,  from  the  greater  length  of  their  captivity,  had 
claims  of  priority  to  exchange,  he  had,  by  his  happy  ad 
dress,  induced  the  governor  to  offer,  that  whatever  officer 
he  might  think  proper  to  nominate  should  be  included  in 
the  present  cartel.  With  great  politeness  in  manner,  but 
seeming  indifference  as  to  objects,  he  expressed  his  warm 
est  acknowledgments  to  the  governor,  and  said,  "  There  is 
an  old  man  here,  who  is  a  Provincial  Major.  He  is  very 
desirous  to  be  at  home  witri  his  wife  and  children.  He 
can  do  no  good  here,  or  anywhere  else.  I  believe  your 
Excellency  had  better  keep  so.ne  of  the  young  men,  who 
have  no  wives  or  children  to  care  for,  and  let  this  old  fel- 


104  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

low  go  home  with  me."  It  was  a  well-managed  artifice, 
and  had  the  desired  effect.  Putnam  was  immediately 
released,  and  left  Montreal,  in  company  with  his  generous 
friend,  who  procured  his  enlargement. 

At  the  house  of  Colonel  Schuyler,  in  Montreal,  Major 
Putnam  became  acquainted  with  Mrs.  Howe,  the  story  of 
whose  captivity  and  sufferings  among  the  Indians,  full  of 
the  most  thrilling  romance,  is  familiar  to  American  readers. 
By  the  payment  of  a  considerable  sum  of  money,  Colonel 
Schuyler  obtained  the  release  of  this  lady,  and  undertook 
to  escort  her  in  safety  to  her  friends  in  New  England.  He 
also  interested  himself  in  behalf  of  her  children,  who  were 
also  in  captivity,  and  did  not  remit  his  exertions,  until  they 
were  all  at  liberty.  Business  having  made  it  necessary 
that  Colonel  Schuyler  should  entrust  his  charge  to  other 
hands,  he  committed  her  to  the  protection  of  his  friend 
Putnam,  from  whom  she  received  those  kind  attentions  by 
the  way,  which  her  forlorn  condition,  and  the  difficult  cha 
racter  of  the  roads,  rendered  necessary  and  acceptable. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

THE  CAMPAIGNS  OF    1759  AND    1760.       EXPEDITION  AGAINST 
THE    WEST    INDIA    ISLANDS. 

British  successes  in  1759— Putnam  promoted  to  a  Lieutenant-Colo 
nelcy — Large  and  vigorous  plans  of  General  Amherst — The  army 
in  three  divisions  proceeds  to  Montreal — Putnam  with  the  General 
in-chief  on  Lake  Ontario — Two  French  vessels  captured  in  the 
St.  Lawrence — Fort  Osvvegatchie  capitulates — The  three  divisions 
of  the  army  meet  before  Montreal — Surrender  of  that  Fortress,  and 
of  all  the  French  posts  in  Canada — Conquest  of  Martinique,  and 
all  the  Caribbees — Expedition  against  Havana — Putnam  in  com 
mand  of  the  Connecticut  regiment — Wrecked  on  the  coast  of  Cuba 
— Putnam's  good  management  and  discipline — Opportune  arrival 
at  Havana — The  harbor  and  fortifications — The  Moro  carried  by 
storm — The  capitulation — Peace  in  Europe — Improving  prospects 
of  the  Colonies. 

THE  campaign  of  1759  was  distinguished  by  the  memora 
ble  achievement  of  General  Wolfe,  who  fell  in  the  arms 
of  victory,  in  his  daring  attack  upon  Quebec.  Ticon- 
deroga  and  Crown  Point  were  successively  evacuated  by 
the  French,  on  the  approach  of  General  Amherst.  In 
these  advances,  there  was  no  opportunity  for  the  usual 
stirring  detail  of  partizan  adventure.  There  is,  therefore, 
little  to  relate  of  the  subject  of  this  work.  He  was  raised, 
during  this  year,  to  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel ;  was 
present  at  the  occupation  of  both  the  above  named  for 
tresses  ;  and  was  afterward  employed  in  superintending 
the  parties,  which  were  detached  to  procure  timber,  and 
other  materials,  for  strengthening  the  defences  at  Crown 
Point. 

5* 


106  LIFE     OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

In  opening  the  campaign  of  1760,  General  Amberst 
found  himself  in  possession  of  the  most  important  posts 
which  the  French  had  hitherto  occupied  in  America  ;  and 
resolved,  in  obedience  to  instructions,  to  attempt  the  im 
mediate  and  entire  annihilation  of  that  power  in  Canada. 
The  Marquis  de  Vaudreuil,  who  was  in  command  at  Mon 
treal,  applied  himself  diligently  to  strengthen  the  fortifica 
tions  of  that  place  ;  and  determined,  if  possible,  to  make  a 
final  stand  against  the  further  progress  of  the  English 
For  this  purpose,  he  called  in  all  his  detachments,  and 
collected  around  him  the  entire  force  of  the  colony.  His 
resolution  was  vain.  The  British  general,  having  but  one 
point  on  which  to  concentrate  his  forces,  very  wisely  and 
humanely  prepared  to  collect  them  all  at  that  point,  in 
hopes,  by  compelling  an  immediate  surrender,  to  secure  a 
bloodless  victory.  For  this  purpose,  three  armies  were 
directed  to  proceed  by  different  routes,  and  appear  at  the 
same  moment  before  Montreal.  General  Murray,  with 
the  corps  which  had  been  commanded  by  the  victorious 
Wolfe,  was  ordered  to  ascend  the  St.  Lawrence  from  Que 
bec.  Colonel  Haviland,  at  the  head  of  another  division, 
sailed  from  Crown  Point,  by  way  of  Isle-aux-Noix — 
which  was  evacuated  by  the  enemy  on  his  approach. 
General  Amherst,  with  the  remainder  of  the  forces,  con 
sisting  of  about  ten  thousand  regulars  and  provincials, 
passing  up  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk,  and  down  the  Onei- 
da,  advanced  to  Oswego,  where  he  was  joined  by  one 
thousand  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations,  under  Sir  William 
Johnson.  Embarking,  with  his  entire  army,  on  Lake 
Ontario,  and  taking  in  his  way  the  Fort  of  Isle  Royale,  he 
arrived  at  Montreal,  after  a  difficult  and  dangerous  passage, 
on  the  same  day  that  General  Murray  landed  at  the  same 
place  from  Quebec.  The  two  generals  met  with  no  oppo 
sition  in  disembarking  their  troops  j  and  by  a  happy  con- 


NEW      SPECIES      OF      NAVAL      TACTICS.        107 

cuitence  in  the  execution  of  a  well-concerted  plan,  Colo 
nel  Haviland  joined  them  with  his  detachment  the  next 
day. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Putnam's  regiment  formed  a  part  of 
the  main  division  under  the  general-in-chief.  During  their 
progress,  several  incidents  occurred,  in  which  his  peculiar 
ingenuity,  as  well  as  his  intrepidity,  was  put  to  the  test. 
Having  entered  the  St.  Lawrence,  it  was  necessary,  in 
order  not  to  leave  an  enemy  in  their  rear,  to  dislodge  the 
garrison  at  Fort  Oswegatchie — situated  on  Isle  Royale,  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Oswegatchie  river. 

The  approach  to  this  place  was  guarded  by  two  armed 
vessels  of  twelve  guns  each,  that  kept  possession  of  the 
stream,  and  rendered  it  impossible  for  the  British  army  to 
proceed,  as  one  broadside  from  these  ships  would  demolish 
their  whole  fleet  of  boats.  General  Amherst  was  some 
what  disconcerted  ;  as  he  must  either  abandon  his  boats 
altogether,  and  proceed  by  land,  or  contrive  some  extra 
ordinary  means  to  get  rid  of  this  formidable  adversary. 
While  he  was  pondering  what  should  be  done,  Colonel 
Putnam  came  to  him,  and,  pointing  to  one  of  them,  said  : 
"  General,  that  ship  must  be  taken." 

"  Ay,"  replied  Amherst,  "  I  would  give  the  world  if  she 
were  taken." 

«  I'll  take  her,  Sir,"  said  Putnam,  coolly. 

"  How  ?"  asked  Amherst,  smiling  incredulously. 

11  Give  me  some  wedges,  a  beetle,  and  a  few  men  of 
my  own  choosing,  and  I  will  soon  put  her  out  of  your 
way." 

Amherst  could  not  conceive  how  an  armed  vessel  was 
to  be  taken  by  four  or  five  men,  with  no  other  arms  than 
a  beetle  and  wedges.  But  he  had  known  something  of 
the  ingenuity  and  daring  of  the  provincial  Colonel,  and  his 
skill  in  executing  feats  of  peculiar  difficulty.  He  was, 


108  LIFE      OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

accordingly,  authorized  to  proceed  ;  and  furnished  with 
everything  that  he  desired  for  his  experiment. 

In  the  darkness  of  the  night,  Putnam  and  his  chosen 
few,  in  a  light  boat,  with  muffled  oars,  stole  unperceived 
under  the  vessel's  stern,  and  drove  the  wedges  so  firmly 
between  the  rudder  and  the  stern-post,  as  to  render  the 
rudder  quite  immovable.  They  then  effected  their 
escape,  in  the  same  stealthy  manner  as  they  had  come. 
Deprived  of  her  helm,  the  ship  was  left  at  the  mercy  of 
the  winds  and  the  stream,  and  was  soon  driven  ashore. 
In  this  condition  she  offered  no  resistance  to  the  British 
arms,  but  struck  her  colors  at  the  first  summons.  Her 
companion  followed  her  example  without  delay,  so  that 
this  victory  was  won  without  the  loss  of  a  man,  or  the 
firing  of  a  gun,  on  either  side. 

This  incident  is  found  in  uAlmon>s  Impartial  Remem 
brancer^  published  in  London  in  1775,  thirteen  years  before 
the  appearance  of  Colonel  Humphreys'  Life  of  Putnam. 
That  work  represents  the  French  as  voluntarily  running 
one  of  their  vessels  ashore  on  the  approach  of  the  British. 
Other  historians*  of  the  day  have  said,  that  one  of  the 
vessels  having  accidentally  run  ashore,  the  other  was 
easily  overcome,  &c.  While  Knox,  and  after  him,  Mante, 
give  all  the  credit  of  the  adventure  to  a  Col.  Williamson, 
of  the  British  army.  From  the  incident  of  the  wedging 
of  the  rudder  being  published  at  so  early  a  date,  and  on 
British  authority,  it  is  most  probable  that  the  anecdote  is 
true  in  all  its  particulars — that  Putnam  first  procured  one 
of  the  vessels  to  be  disabled,  and  that  then  the  thousand 
men,  under  the  command  of  Col  Williamson,  joined  him, 
and  followed  up  the  work.  No  man  in  his  senses  w?ould 
think  of  approaching  an  armed  vessel  by  daylight,  with  a 
view  to  get  under  her  stern,  and  unship  or  otherwise 
*  Marshall,  and  others. 


DISCREPANCIES      RECONCILED.  109 

destroy  her  rudder.  The  probable  truth,  therefore,  is, 
that  one  vessel  being  disabled,  the  other  yielded  readily, 
as  all  accounts  agree  in  stating.  In  this  manner  they  are 
all  easily  reconciled,  and  the  whole  credit  of  the  success 
placed  where  it  belongs,  to  the  ingenuity  and  daring  of 
Putnam — as  Humphreys  understood  and  intended  it  should 
be  ;  while  he  completely  defeats  that  intention,  by  running 
the  two  parts  of  the  story  into  one,  and  so  leaving  the  main 
incident  out  of  sight.  It  affords  another  illustration  of  the 
modesty  of  Putnam,  and  the  little  account  he  made  of 
his  own  acts,  in  detailing  to  his  biographer  the  movements 
of  the  army.  The  following  is  Colonel  Humphreys'  ac 
count  of  the  matter  ;  which  briefly  describes  the  onset  of 
the  boats,  and  the  sudden  surrender  of  the  panic-struck 
enemy,  without  detailing  the  circumstances,  which  made 
that  surrender  unavoidable. 

"Two  armed  vessels  obstructed  the  passage,  and  pre 
vented  the  attack.  Putnam,  with  one  thousand  men,  un 
dertook  to  board  them.  This  dauntless  officer,  ever  spar 
ing  of  the  blood  of  others,  as  prodigal  of  his  own,  to  accom 
plish  it  with  less  loss,  put  himself,  with  a  chosen  crew,  a 
beetle  and  wedges,  in  the  van,  with  a  design  to  wedge  the 
rudders,  so  that  the  vessels  should  not  be  able  to  turn  their 
broadsides,  or  perform  any  other  manoeuvre.  All  the  men 
in  his  little  fleet  were  ordered  to  strip  to  their  waistcoats, 
and  advance  at  the  same  time.  He  promised,  if  he  lived, 
to  join  them,  and  show  the  way  up  the  sides.  Animated 
by  so  daring  an  example,  they  moved  swiftly,  and  in  pro 
found  silence,  as  to  certain  victory  or  death.  The  people 
on  board  the  ships,  beholding  the  good  countenance  with 
which  they  approached,  ran  one  of  the  vessels  on  shore, 
and  struck  the  colors  of  the  other.  Had  it  not  been  for 
the  dastardly  conduct  of  the  ship's  company  in  the  latter, 
who  compelled  the  captain  to  haul  down  his  ensign,  he 


110  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

would  have  given  the  assailants  a  bloody  reception  ;  for 
the  vessels  were  well  provided  with  spars,  nettings,  and 
every  customary  instrument  of  annoyance  as  well  as 
defence." 

It  was  now  determined  to  attack  the  fortress,  which 
the  enemy  supposed  they  had  rendered  inaccessible  by  a 
high  abattis  of  black-ash,  that  everywhere  projected  over 
the  water.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Putnam  proposed  a  mode 
of  attack,  and  offered  his  services  to  carry  it  into  effect. 
The  proposal  was  approved  of  by  the  general ;  and  Put 
nam,  accordingly,  caused  a  sufficient  number  of  boats  to 
be  fitted  for  the  enterprise.  The  sides  of  each  boat  were 
surrounded  with  fascines,  musket  proof,  which  covered 
the  men  completely.  A  wide  plank,  twenty  feet  long, 
was  then  fitted  to  every  boat  in  such  a  manner,  by  having 
an  angular  piece  sawed  from  one  extremity,  that,  when 
fastened  by  ropes  on  both  sides  of  the  boat,  it  might  be 
raised  or  lowered  at  pleasure.  The  design  was,  that  the 
plank  should  be  held  erect  while  the  oarsmen  forced  the 
bow,  with  the  utmost  exertion,  against  the  abattis ;  and 
that  afterwards  being  dropped  on  the  pointed  brush,  it 
should  serve  as  a  kind  of  bridge  to  assist  the  men  in  pass 
ing  over  them.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Putnam,  having  made 
his  dispositions  to  attempt  the  escalade  in  many  places  at 
the  same  moment,  advanced  with  his  boats  in  admirable 
order.  The  garrison,  perceiving  these  extraordinary  and 
unexpected  machines,  did  not  wait  the  assault,  but  capitu 
lated.  Putnam  was  particularly  honored  by  General 
Amherst,  for  his  ingenuity  in  this  invention,  and  for  his 
promptitude  in  its  execution. 

The  three  armies  arrived  at  Montreal  within  two  days 
of  each  other.  The  Marquis  de  Vaudreuil,  seeing  that 
resistance  to  forces  so  far  superior  to  his  own  would  be 
worse  than  useless,  proposed  an  instant  capitulation.  With 


EXPEDITION      TO      HAVANA.  Ill 

Montreal,  Detroit,  Michilimakinak,  and  all  other  French 
posts  on  the  lakes,  were  surrendered  to  the  English  ;  and 
the  conquest  of  Canada  was  thus  completed,  without  the 
loss  of  a  single  drop  of  blood. 

At  the  Indian  village  called  Cochnawaga,  a  short  dis 
tance  from  Montreal,  Putnam  saw  the  savage  who  had 
made  him  prisoner  in  the  previous  campaign.  The  Indian 
was  highly  delighted  to  see  his  old  acquaintance,  whom 
he  entertained  in  his  own  well-built  stone  house  with 
great  friendship  and  hospitality  ;  while  his  guest  showed 
no  less  satisfaction  in  having  an  opportunity  of  shaking  the 
brave  savage  by  the  hand,  and  proffering  him  protection  in 
this  reverse  of  his  military  fortunes. 

The  year  1762  found  England  in  rather  a  gloomy  situa 
tion.  The  previous  campaign  had  left  her  much  exhaust 
ed,  and  Spain,  as  well  as  the  majority  of  the  other  powers 
of  Europe,  combined  against  her  and  Prussia.  In  the 
event  that  she  should  be  much  farther  reduced,  the  Ame 
ricans  could  apprehend  nothing  less  than  a  speedy  and 
energetic  attempt  by  France  to  recover  the  lands  which 
she  had  lost  during  the  past  years  of  the  war.  The  colo 
nies,  therefore,  were  called  upon  to  raise  supplies,  arid 
prepare  for  a  desperate  struggle.  Large  bounties  were 
offered  by  England  to  those  who  would  enlist  under  her 
standard — which  were  doubled  by  the  continental  author 
ities. 

In  the  meantime,  a  large  army  of  British  and  provincials, 
under  Admiral  Rodney  and  General  Monckton,  had  sailed 
for  Martinique,  an  island  in  the  West  Indies,  belonging  to 
the  French.  On  the  14th  of  February,  1762,  that  island 
was  captured.  This  success  was  soon  followed  by  the 
subjugation  of  all  the  Caribbees.  Another  powerful  expe 
dition  was  also  sent,  the  same  season,  against  Havana.  It 
consisted  of  10,000  men,  thirty-seven  ships  of  war,  and 


112  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

nearly  150  transports,  under  the  command  of  Admiral 
Pococke  and  Lord  Albemarle.  These  landed  safely  on 
the  17th  of  June  ;  but  being  foiled  in  all  their  attempts 
against  the  fortresses,  the  climate  destroyed  a  great  num 
ber  of  them,  so  that,  in  less  than  two  months,  their  numbers 
were  reduced  about  one  half. 

At  this  gloomy  crisis  aid  arrived  from  the  colonies.  A 
body  of  Provincials,  composed  of  five  hundred  men  from 
the  Jerseys,  eight  hundred  from  New  York,  and  one  thou 
sand  from  Connecticut,  were  sent  to  reinforce  his  Lord 
ship.  General  Lyman,  who  raised  this  regiment  of  one 
thousand  men  in  Connecticut,  being  the  senior  officer,  was 
appointed  to  the  command  of  the  whole,  consequently  the 
immediate  command  of  his  regiment  devolved  upon  Lieut 
enant-Colonel  Putnam.  The  fleet,  in  which  these  men 
embarked,  sailed  from  New  York,  and  ultimately  arrived 
safely  in  Cuba,  though  not  without  perilous  accidents  by 
the  way. 

While  on  the  coast  of  that  island  a  terrible  storm  arose, 
and  the  transport,  in  which  Lieutenant-Colonel  Putnam 
had  embarked  with  five  hundred  men,  was  wrecked  on  a 
reef  of  craggy  rocks.  The  weather  was  so  tempestuous, 
and  the  surf,  which  ran  mountain-high,  dashed  with  such 
violence  against  the  ship,  that  the  most  experienced  sea 
men  expected  she  would  go  to  pieces.  The  rest  of  the 
fleet,  so  far  from  being  able  to  afford  assistance,  with  diffi 
culty  rode  out  the  gale. 

In  this  situation,  strict  military  order  was  maintained, 
and  all  those  people,  who  best  understood  the  use  of  tools, 
were  instantly  employed  in  constructing  rafts  from  spars, 
planks,  and  whatever  other  materials  could  be  procured. 
Strong  lines  were  secured  to  each  of  these  rafts,  and  run 
out  from  the  ship,  as  they  put  off  towards  the  land.  When 
the  first  had,  with  inconceivable  hazard  and  difficulty, 


SHIPWRECK HAVANA      REDUCED.  113 

reached  the  shore,  these  lines  proved  of  infinite  service, 
in  preventing  the  others  from  driving  out  to  sea,  as  well 
as  in  dragging  them  athwart  the  billows  to  the  beach,  and 
keeping  up  a  constant  communication  with  the  ship.  By 
these  means  every  man  was  finally  saved. 

A.S  soon  as  all  were  landed,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Putnam 
fortified  his  camp,  that  he  might  not  be  exposed  to  injury 
or  insult  from  the  inhabitants  of  the  neighboring  dis 
tricts.  Here  the  party  remained  unmolested  several  days, 
until  the  storm  had  so  much  abated  as  to  permit  the  con 
voy  to  take  them  off.  They  soon  joined  the  troops  before 
Havana,  who,  having  been  several  weeks  in  that  unhealthy 
climate,  began  to  feel  its  effects  severely  in  the  gradual 
reduction  of  their  numbers,  and  the  transformation  of  their 
camp  into  a  hospital.  The  opportune  arrival  of  the  Pro 
vincial  reinforcement,  in  perfect  health,  contributed  not  a 
little  to  forward  the  works  which  were  in  progress,  and  to 
hasten  the  reduction  of  that  important  place.  But  the 
Provincials  suffered  so  miserably  by  sickness  afterwards, 
that  very  few  of  their  number  ever  found  their  way  home 
again. 

The  entrance  into  the  harbor  of  Havana  is  by  a  narrow 
channel,  the  east  side  of  which  is  secured  by  a  fort  of  great 
strength,  and  deemed  quite  impregnable,  called  El  Moro. 
The  west  is  protected  by  another,  called ElPunto.  Lord 
Albemarle,  having  command  of  the  land  forces,  amounting 
to  fourteen  thousand  men,  of  whom  four  thousand  were 
Provincials,  commenced  the  siege  of  the  Moro.  After 
suffering  incredible  hardships,  and  surmounting  the  most 
appalling  obstacles,  the  besiegers  obtained  possession  of 
the  covered  way,  which  led  to  the  fortress,  made  a  lodg 
ment  before  the  right  bastion,  and  sprung  a  mine,  which 
threw  down  a  part  of  the  works,  and  left  open  a  small 
breach.  The  soldiers,  now  ordered  to  storm  the  place, 


114  LIFE      CF      GENERAL      PUTNAM 

mounted  the  breach,  under  command  of  Lieutenant 
Forbes,  supported  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Stuart,  and  en 
tered  the  fort  with  such  order  and  intrepidity,  as  entirely 
disconcerted  the  garrison.  Four  hundred  Spaniards  were 
either  cut  in  pieces,  or  perished  in  attempting  to  escape  by 
water  to  the  city.  The  remainder  threw  down  their  arms, 
and  received  quarter. 

The  British  troops,  now  in  possession  of  the  castle,  and 
having  completed  their  own  batteries,  on  an  eminence  that 
commanded  the  city,  were  enabled  to  plant  sixty  pieces 
of  cannon  in  position  to  play  effectively  on  the  place. 
Thus  fortified,  Lord  Albemarle  sent  a  flag  of  truce,  with  a 
summons  to  the  governor  to  surrender.  The  haughty 
Spaniard  replied  that  he  should  hold  out  to  the  last  ex 
tremity.  The  batteries,  however,  were  opened  with  such 
effect  the  next  morning,  both  against  the  city  and  the  Pun- 
tal,  that  a  deputy  was  sent  out  about  noon,  to  settle  the 
terms  of  capitulation.  A  cessation  of  arms  immediately 
ensued,  and  the  city  of  Havana,  with  a  district  extending 
one  hundred  and  eighty  miles  westward,  and  embracing 
about  one  fourth  part  of  the  island,  with  the  fortresses  and 
the  ships  in  the  harbor,  were  surrendered  to  His  Britannic 
Majesty, 

Soon  after  this  event,  the  combined  powers,  finding  that 
war  with  Great  Britain,  whether  by  land  or  sea,  was  only 
a  losing  game,  proposed  terms  of  peace,  which  removed 
the  dark  cloud  that  had  so  long  hung  over  the  prospects 
of  the  colonies. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

THE    PONTIAC    WAR. 

Results  of  the  late  contest  between  England  and  France — Condition, 
character,  and  hopes  of  the  Indians — Pontiac,  the  Otoway  chief— 
His  first  successes  and  plan  of  Union — Movements  of  General 
Amherst — Captain  Dalyell  ordered  to  Detroit — His  bold  sortie 
from  the  fort — His  glorious  death — Putnam,  now  a  Colonel,  accom 
panies  Col.  Bradstreet  to  Detroit — Supplies  thrown  into  the  fortress 
— Pontiac,  overawed  by  the  superior  numbers  of  his  enemy,  pro 
poses  conditions  of  peace — Colonel  Putnam's  letter  from  the  camp 
— Enlarged  views  and  bravery  of  Pontiac — Review  of  Colonel 
Putnam's  military  career — His  high  reputation  as  an  officer — Re 
tires  to  his  farm — Honorable  testimonials  of  public  confidence — 
Domestic  affliction. 

TILL  the  year  1758  or  1759,  it  seemed  doubtful  whether 
France  or  England  would  have  the  ascendency  in  the 
New  World  ;  and  in  particular,  whether  the  British  should 
not  be  confined  to  a  narrow  slip  of  land  on  the  shores  of 
the  Atlantic.  The  superior  population  and  wealth  of  the 
English  colonies,  and  th'e  immense  superiority  of  the 
British  navy  over  that  of  France,  and  particularly  the 
energy  of  Pitt's  Administration,  turned  the  scale  in  favor 
of  England.  Great  joy  was  diffused  throughout  the  British 
dominions  ;  but  in  no  place  was  it  felt,  in  a  higher  degree, 
or  with  greater  reason,  than  in  America.  For  one  hun 
dred  and  fifty  years  France  and  England  had  been  con 
tending  for  American  territory  ;  and  for  the  last  half  of 
that  period  there  had  been  but  little  intermission  of  active 
hostilities,  or  of  those  irregular  border  difficulties,  which 


116  LIFE      OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

are  scarcely  less  annoying  or  destructive  than  actual  war. 
There  were  no  precise,  well-defined  boundaries  to  the 
possessions  of  the  two  nations  ;  but  both  were  willing  to 
enlarge  them  in  any  direction.  They  possessed  much,  but 
coveted  more.  Neither  was  backward  to  make  encroach 
ments  on  the  other  ;  and  both  were  prompt  to  repel  them 
when  made,  or  supposed  to  be  made,  on  themselves. 
Throughout  this  period,  especially  the  last  half  of  it,  in 
addition  to  the  unavoidable  calamities  of  war,  indiscrimi 
nate  massacres  had  been  so  frequently  and  extensively 
committed  on  numerous  settlers,  dispersed  over  many 
hundred  miles  of  exposed  frontier,  that  it  has  been  sup 
posed  the  British  colonies  lost  in  this  way  not  less  than 
twenty  thousand  inhabitants.  War  assumed  a  most  ter 
rific  aspect  among  the  colonists.  Not  confined  to  men  in 
arms,  as  is  common  in  Europe,  aged  persons,  women,  and 
children,  were  frequently  its  victims.  The  tomahawk  and 
scalping  knife,  carried  to  the  fire-sides  of  peaceable,  help 
less  families,  were  applied  promiscuously  to  every  age 
and  sex. 

It  was  hoped  that  the  reduction  of  Canada  would  close 
these  horrid  scenes  for  ever,  with  respect  to  the  northern 
and  middle  colonies.  As  the  Indians  could  in  future  derive 
supplies  from  none  but  the  English,  and  as  they  would  be 
no  longer  exposed  to  the  seductiveness  of  French  influ 
ence,  it  was  confidently  expected  that  they  would  desist 
from  their  depredations,  and  leave  the  colonies  to  pursue 
the  advantages  gained  in  this  long  and  expensive  contest. 
In  this  expectation  they  were  disappointed.  Some  of  the 
Indians  laid  down  their  arms,  but  many  of  the  tribes  on 
the  western  frontiers  still  continued  hostilities — not,  as  be 
fore,  to  sustain  or  restore  the  French  dominion,  but  appa^ 
rently  with  a  view  to  regain,  for  themselves,  some  of  that 
ancient  power  which  both  the  contending  parties  had  com- 


THE     INDIAN      CONFEDERACY.  117 

bined  to  wrest  from  their  hands.  It  is  not  improbable, 
indeed,  that  they  were  instigated  in  a  great  measure  by  the 
catholic  priests  who  still  remained  among  them,  and  who 
possessed  unbounded  influence  over  their  minds. 

Even  at  that  early  day,  however,  they  seem  to  have 
had  a  prophetic  intimation  of  the  fate  that  awaited  them, 
from  the  continual  influx  and  rapid  increase  of  the  Euro 
pean  race.  The  most  sagacious  of  their  leaders  saw,  even 
then,  as  in  a  vision,  that  they  had  nothing  to  expect  from 
the  pale-faced  intruders  upon  their  territories  but  per 
petual  encroachment,  treacherous,  over-reaching  negotia 
tion  and  diplomacy,  and  the  ultimate  extermination  of  their 
whole  race.  In  a  conference  between  some  of  the  Ame 
rican  governors  and  the  Six  Nations,  soon  after  the  peace 
of  1761,  a  warm  dispute  arose  concerning  certain  lands, 
which — the  Indians  asserted — had  been  seized  by  some 
English  settlers  under  a  fraudulent  conveyance.  Popula 
tion,  too,  augmented  so  rapidly  during  the  interval  of 
peace,  after  England  had  acquired  the  mastery  of  the  con 
tinent,  that  the  colonists  soon  overran  their  prescribed 
limits  ;  and,  as  a  chain  of  forts  had  been  constructed  round 
the  most  important  lands  of  the  Indians,  they  perceived 
that  the  English,  by  fate  or  by  design,  were  about  to 
extirpate  them,  or  drive  them  back  upon  the  distant  moun 
tains  of  the  west.  Under  these  impressions,  the  truth  of 
which  has  been  so  signally  realized,  the  Shawanese,  the 
Delawares,  and  the  tribes  along  the  Ohio,  this  side  Missis 
sippi,  and  about  Detroit,  concerted  a  plan,  in  1763,  to 
attack,  at  one  and  the  same  time,  all  the  English  posts  and 
settlements  in  their  neighborhood. 

Under  Pontiac,  the  celebrated  Otoway  chief,  and  other 
highly  gifted  leaders — thirty-six  of  whom  were  now  united 
under  this  confederacy — they  succeeded  in  getting  pos 
session  of  several  important  posts,  which  the  French  had 


118  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM, 

surrendered,  and  were  proceeding  to  concentrate  a  for 
midable  power  on  the  northern  lakes.  General  Amherst, 
who  still  remained  in  command,  immediately  ordered  strong 
reinforcements  to  forts  Pitt,  Detroit  and  Niagara — those 
of  Le  Boeuf,  Venango,  Presque  Isle  and  Michilimacki- 
nack,  being  already  in  possession  of  the  Indians.  Captain 
Dalyell,  of  whom  we  have  had  occasion  to  speak  in  ano 
ther  place  as  the  faithful  friend  and  intrepid  fellow-soldier 
of  Colonel  Putnam,  commanded  the  first  party  destined  for 
Detroit,  with  orders  from  General  Amherst  to  raise  the 
siege,  by  dispersing  the  Indians.  On  his  arrival,  he  suc 
ceeded  in  effecting  an  entrance  into  the  fortress,  without  a 
conflict  with  the  enemy  who  invested  it.  Major  Glad- 
wine,  who  commanded  the  garrison,  satisfied  that  with 
this  reinforcement  the  place  could  hold  out  against  the 
besiegers,  while  they  were  still  too  few  to  hazard  an  open 
encounter,  would  fain  Have  dissuaded  Captain  Dalyell  from 
offering  them  battle.  But  the  latter,  relying  on  the  disci 
pline  and  courage  of  his  men,  replied  :  "  God  forbid  that  I 
should  ever  disobey  the  orders  of  my  general,"  and  imme 
diately  disposed  them  for  action.  His  force  consisted  of 
only  two  hundred  and  fifty  men.  Those  of  Pontiac  were 
vastly  .superior  in  numbers.  The  conflict,  which  com 
menced  at  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  was  obstinate  and 
bloody.  The  Indians,  on  every  side,  kept  up  a  galling 
fire  from  behind  trees  and  fences,  and  threatening  to  sur 
round  and  enclose  Captain  Dalyell  and  his  party,  compelled 
him  reluctantly  to  retreat.  Having  gained  a  temporary 
shelter,  and  halted  to  breathe,  he  saw  one  of  his  bravest 
sergeants  lying  on  the  ground  at  a  little  distance,  wallow 
ing  in  his  blood  from  a  severe  wound  in  his  thigh,  and 
desired  some  of  his  men  to  run  to  his  relief.  They  declin 
ed  the  service,  as  too  hazardous.  Dalyell,  declaring 
"  that  he  would  never  leave  so  brave  a  soldier  in  the  field, 


COiMMAN.DS     A     REGIMENT     AT     DETROIT.    119 

to  be  tortured  by  the  savages,"  went  alone  to  his  rescue. 
As  he  was  endeavoring  to  raise  the  wounded  man  from  the 
ground,  a  volley  from  the  enemy  was  poured  in  upon  them, 
and  they  both  fell  dead  together.  How  do  such  acts  of 
heroic  disinterestedness  and  self-sacrifice,  elevate  the  cha 
racter  of  the  true  soldier,  and  eclipse  the  proudest  laurels 
of  the  mere  conqueror  ! 

The  Indians  still  maintaining  their  position,  Colonel 
Bradstreet  was  sent  the  following  year,  1764,  with  a  force 
sufficient  to  reduce  them.  To  this  force  Connecticut  con 
tributed  a  regiment  of  four  hundred  men,  under  the  com 
mand  of  Putnam — who  had  now  received  the  commission 
of  a  colonel.  The  old  Indian  chief,  who  has  been  before 
mentioned  as  his  captor,  and  whom  in  that  relation  he 
had  called  master,  was  also  on  this  expedition,  at  the  head 
of  a  hundred  Cochnawaga  warriors.  He  had  made  peace 
with  the  English,  and  was  now  marching  side  by  side 
with  his  former  prisoner,  to  fight  with  the  ancient  enemy 
of  his  tribe.  Joseph  Brant,  the  celebrated  Mohawk  chief, 
took  part  also  in  this  expedition. 

Meanwhile,  Detroit  continued  to  be  closely  blockaded, 
and  the  garrison  suffered  extremely  from  fatigue  and  the 
want  of  provisions.  On  the  third  of  September,  a  schooner, 
dispatched  from  Niagara  with  twelve  men  and  six  Mo 
hawk  Indians,  with  provisions  for  the  relief  of  the  garrison, 
arrived  in  the  river.  She  was  immediately  attacked  by 
three  hundred  and  fifty  Indians  in  boats,  but,  by  the  admi 
rable  skill  and  bravery  of  the  little  band  on  board,  she  was 
carried  safely  into  the  fort,  with  the  loss  of  the  master  and 
one  man  killed,  and  four  wounded. 

Saved  from  certain  death  by  this  seasonable  supply  of 
provisions,  the  garrison  held  out  till  the  arrival  of  the 
forces  under  Colonel  Bradstreet.  Overawed  by  the  supe 
rior  numbers  now  arrayed  against  them,  and  feeling  that 


120  LIFE     OP     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

all  farther  efforts  would  be  worse  than  vain,  the  Indians 
withdrew,  without  battle,  and  proposed  conditions  of 
peace  ;  which,  after  long  delays  and  frequent  changes  of 
terms,  were  duly  arranged  and  ratified  in  the  course  of  the 
following  season. 

As  this  expedition  afforded  little  opportunity  for  brilliant 
services,  or  daring  achievements,  we  have  nothing  to  say 
for  Colonel  Putnam — save  that,  as  usual,  he  was  always 
at  his  post,  ready  for  any  service  that  might  be  required 
of  him,  and  weary  of  nothing  so  much  as  inaction.  The 
following  letter,  supposed  to  be  the  longest  he  ever  wrote, 
will  give  some  idea  of  the  state  of  the  frontier  settlements 
at  that  time,  and  of  the  difficulties  they  had  to  encounter 
in  dealing  with  the  Indians.  It  was  addressed  to  Major 
Drake,  of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  and  was  published  in  the 
Boston  Gazette,  of  December  24th,  1764. 

"  Camp  Sandusky,  near  the  Carrying  P/acc,  / 
October  7,  1764.  I 

"DEAR  SIR: — 

"  I  can  tell  you  the  land  here  is  good  enough,  and  sup 
pose  you  will  think  it  strange  if  I  should  tell  you,  that  in 
many  places  in  this  country,  there  are  ten  or  twenty  thou 
sand  acres  of  land  in  a  place,  that  have  not  a  bush  or  twig 
on  them,  but  all  covered  with  grass,  so  big  and  high  that 
it  is  very  difficult  to  travel — and  all  as  good  plough-land 
as  ever  you  saw  ;  any  of  it  fit  for  hemp  ;  but  there  are 
too  many  hemp  birds  among  it,  which  will  make  it  very 
unhealthy  to  live  among. 

"  Detroit  is  a  very  beautiful  place,  and  the  country 
around  it.  We  sent  out  an  officer,  and  three  Indians,  to  the 
Delawares  and  Shawanese  from  Presque  Isle,  who  returned 
and  were  illy  used.  We  sent  the  like  number  from  San- 
dusky,  but  all  before  any  one  returned. 


CAPTAIN      KING'S      TALK.  121 

"  From  Sandusky  we  sent  Captain  Montieur  and  Cap 
tain  Peters,  from  Maumee  we  sent  Captain  Morris  of  the 
17th,  and  one  Thomas  King  with  three  Indians.  Captain 
Morris  returned  some  time  ago,  and  was  much  abused, 
and  stripped,  and  whipped,  and  threatened  to  be  toma 
hawked,  but  had  his  life  spared  in  case  he  would  return. 
Captain  Thomas  King  and  three  of  the  Kanawawas  pro 
ceeded.  This  Captain  King  is  one  of  the  chiefs  of  the 
Oneida  Castle  ;  and  about  ten  days  ago  King  came  into 
Detroit,  and  had  left  all  the  Kanawawas,  who  gave  out  for 
want  of  provisions,  and  could  not  travel  ;  he  supposed  they 
all  perished  in  the  woods.  And  three  days  ago  he  arrived 
here,  and  yesterday  he  had  a  conference  with  the  Indians ; 
and  when  all  assembled,  he  made  a  speech  to  them. 
After  some  talk  with  them,  he  expressed  himself  in  this 
manner : 

"  '  Friends  and  Brothers  :  I  am  now  about  to  acquaint 
you  with  facts,  too  obvious  to  deny,  I  have  been,  since  I 
left  you,  to  Monsieur  Pontuck's  (Pontiac's)  camp,  and 
waited  on  him  to  see  if  he  was  willing  to  come  in,  and 
make  peace  with  our  brothers,  the  English.  He  asked 
me  what  I  meant  by  all  that,  saying,  "  You  have  always 
encouraged  me  to  carry  on  the  war  against  the  English, 
and  said,  the  only  reason  you  did  not  join  me  last  year 
was  the  want  of  ammunition,  and  as  soon  as  you  could  get 
ammunition,  you  would  join  me."  ' 

li  King  said  there  was  nothing  in  it,  at  which  Pontuck 
produced  six  belts  of  wampum,  that  he  had  had  the  last 
year  from  the  Six  Nations,  and  said,  '  The  English  are  so 
exhausted,  they  can  do  no  more,  and  one  year's  war,  well 
pushed,  will  drive  them  into  the  sea.' 

"  King  then  made  a  stop  for  some  time  (when  he  added), 
'•  Brothers,  you  know  this  to  be  true,  and  you  have  always 
deceived  me.'  At  which  the  Six  Nations  were  all  angry, 
G 


122  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

and  this  day  they  are  all  packing  up  to  go  off;  and  what 
will  be  the  event  I  don't  know,  nor  don't  care,  for  1  have 
no  faith  in  an  Indian  peace,  patched  up  by  presents. 

"  Yesterday*  Captain  Peters  arrived,  which  is  the  last 
party  we  had  out.  Capt.  Peters  says  the  VVyandots  are  all 
coming  in  ;  but  the  Delawares  and  the  Shawanese  are  not 
coming,  nor  durst  they  come,  for  they  are  afraid  that,  ii  they 
should  come  here,  Colonel  Bouquet  will  be  on  their  towns 
and  castles.  For  he  has  sent  to  them  to  come  and  make 
peace,  and,  on  the  contrary,  if  they  should  go  to  him  we 
should  be  on  them.  They  intend  to  be  still  until  Bouquet 
first  comes  to  them,  and  then  send  out  and  make  peace, 
if  possible  ;  if  not,  to  fight  him  as  long  as  they  have  a  man 
left.  But,  believe  me,  they  wait  to  get  some  advantage 
of  us  before  they  try  for  peace.  Capt.  Peters  says  Bou 
quet  is  within  thirty  miles  of  their  towns,  and  believes  he 
is  to  make  peace  with  them  ;  for  Colonel  Bradstreet  had 
orders  from  General  Gage,  eight  days  ago,  to  make 
no  peace  with  them,  but  to  march  and  meet  Bou 
quet.  But,  on  calling  a  council  of  war,  and  examining  the 
Indians  and  Frenchmen,  who  were  acquainted  with  the 
road,  it  was  found  to  be  thirty  leagues  to  travel  by  land, 
and  nothing  to  carry  any  provisions  but  on  men's  back, 
which,  allowing  for  hindrances,  must  take  forty  days  to 
go  and  come.  There  are  four  large  rivers  to  pass,  two  of 
which 'must  be  crossed  with  rafts,  and  that  very  difficult. 
Considering  the  season  of  the  year  it  was  judged  im 
practicable.  And  here  we  are,  and  for  what  I  know  not, 
nor  when  we  are  to  leave  it, 

"  I  am,  &c. 

"  ISRAEL  PUTNAM." 

It  gives  us  an  exalted  view  of  the  conscious  power  and 
fearless  courage  of  the  brave  chiefs,  who,  at  this  time, 


HIS     RAPID      PROMOTION.  133 

commanded  the  Indian  tribes  on  the  frontier,  to  find  them 
boldly  meditating  the  utter  annihilation  of  the  British 
power  in  America,  or  to  use  the  expressive  language  of 
Pontiac,  hoping  "  by  one  year's  war,  well  pushed,  to  drive 
them  into  the  sea."  The  colonies,  at  this  time,  numbered 
probably  more  than  two  millions  of  inhabitants,  and  were 
rapidly  increasing.  They  had  powerful  armies,  backed  by 
others  still  more  powerful,  sent  from  Europe  for  their  pro 
tection.  They  had  numerous  well-appointed  fortresses, 
with  all  the  terrible  engines  of  war,  which  civilized  science 

O  / 

had  invented.  They  had  numberless  large  towns  and  po 
pulous  cities,  and  their  millions  were  all  banded  together, 
as  one,  for  the  common  defence  ;  while  the  Indian  tribes, 
divided  among  themselves,  and  inflamed  against  each  other 
by  the  never-ceasing  feuds  of  a  hundred  ages,  knew  no 
bond  of  union,  and  acknowledged  no  common  head,  who 
could  harmonize  their  councils,  or  concentrate  their  power 
toward  one  point.  They  realized  the  prophetic  charac 
ter  of  the  father  of  the  wandering  tribes  of  Arabia,  "  His 
hand  shall  be  against  every  man,  and  every  man's  hand 
against  him." 

Ten  years  had  now  elapsed,  since  Putnam,  at  the  call  of 
his  country,  relinquished  the  peaceful  pursuits  of  rural 
life,  for  the  stirring  scenes  and  perilous  duties  of  the  camp. 
He  entered  the  service  without  experience,  but  with  a 
high  reputation  for  personal  bravery.  He  had  risen  regu 
larly  through  every  grade,  from  the  command  of -a  com 
pany  to  that  of  a  regiment.  He  had  won  the  confidence  of 
his  superiors,  and  the  affectionate  regards  of  his  men  ;  and 
now,  the  great  object  of  the  war  being  accomplished,  and 
peace  secured  to  the  colonies  on  every  side,  he  returned  to 
the  bosom  of  his  family,  and  to  the  shades  of  private  life, 
his  brows  crowned  with  enduring  laurels,  and  his  name, 


124  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

encircled  with  the  halo  of  fame,  associated  with  the  best 
and  bravest  in  the  land. 

The  part  he  had  acted  in  "  The  Seven  Years'  War," 
was  one  of  peculiar  hardship  and  peril.  Always  in  the 
van,  when  charging  the  enemy,  and  in  the  rear,  when  a 
retreat  was  ordered — stationed  among  the  outposts  when 
the  army  was  in  camp — scouring  the  woods  or  the  lakes 
with  a  handful  of  men,  or  creeping  stealthily  alone  into  the 
enemy's  lines — his  was  ever  the  post  of  danger.  But  he 
encountered  and  achieved  it  all  with  a  chivalrous  indiffer 
ence  to  personal  danger,  and  an  inexhaustible  fruitful- 
ness  of  resources,  which,  while  it  excited  the  envy  of  a 
few,  commanded  the  admiration  of  all.  His  military 
knowledge  was  all  the  fruit  of  his  own  experience  and 
observation,  the  result  of  that  strong  common  sense,  that 
ready  ingenuity  in  adapting  himself  to  the  circumstances 
in  which  he  was  placed,  and  that  perfect  coolness  and  self- 
possession  in  seasons  of  danger,  for  which  he  was  emi 
nently  distinguished,  and  which  qualified  him,  without 
the  previous  advantages  of  education,  for  the  important 
stations  he  was  called  upon  to  fill. 

"  Personal  bravery,"  says  Mr.  Peabody,  "  is  perhaps 
the  cheapest  of  the  military  virtues  ;  but  there  was  some 
thing  cool,  daring  and  unostentatious  in  that  of  Putnam, 
which  attracted  equally  the  wonder  of  the  cultivated  and 
the  rude.  In  the  words,  recorded  by  a  personal  friend* 
upon  his  monument,  he  had  always  i  dared  to  lead  where 
any  dared  to  follow.'  His  disposition  was  full  of  the 
frankness  of  the  soldier,  united  writh  a  kindness  and  gene 
rosity,  not  always  found  in  union  with  the  sterner  quali 
ties,  demanded  by  the  life  of  camps  ;  an  extended  inter 
course  with  others  had  refined  the  asperity  of  his  manners, 

*Dr.  Dwight 


DOMESTIC      AFFLICTION.  125 

without  impairing  the  simplicity  of  his  genuine  New  Eng 
land  character." 

In  laying  aside  his  uniform,  and  returning  to  his  plough, 
and  to  the  pleasures  of  domestic  life,  he  lost  nothing  of 
that  respect  and  esteem,  with  which  the  brave  soldier  and 
the  accomplished  officer  had  been  regarded.  Success  had 
not  inflated  him  with  pride,  or  made  him  forgetful  of  his  old 
connections.  He  possessed  the  entire  good  will  and  confi 
dence  of  his  neighbors  and  fellow-citizens,  and  stood  very 
high  in  the  public  estimation,  throughout  the  country,  for 
integrity,  courage  and  patriotism.  No  sooner  was  the 
sword  laid  away  in  its  scabbard,  then  he  was  called,  by  the 
united  voice  of  his  fellow-citizens,  to  counsel  and  aid  them 
in  the  management  of  their  civil  affairs.  And,  during  the 
entire  interval  of  repose,  between  the  French  war  and  that 
of  the  Revolution,  he  was  employed,  by  their  choice,  to  fill 
the  higher  municipal  offices,  and  to  represent  the  town  in 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  colony. 

But  who  ever  enjoyed  sunshine  in  this  life,  which 
clouds  did  not  darken  ?  Or  found  repose,  which  affliction 
did  not  mar  ?  Returning  in  peace  to  the  bosom  of  his 
family,  after  so  long  a  period  of  toil  and  danger,  from  so 
many  vicissitudes  of  fortune,  by  land  and  sea,  from  weary 
marches  and  perilous  adventures,  from  conflicts,  single- 
handed,  with  a  lurking  foe,  and  the  terrible  melee  of  the 
battle-field,  and  "  the  imminent  deadly  breach," — the 
veteran  soldier  might  have  promised  himself,  at  least  a 
brief  interval  of  pure  enjoyment,  amid  the  loving  and  loved 
ones  that  clustered  about  his  fireside,  and  graced  and 
cheered  his  table.  But  he  had  scarcely  returned  to  his 
home,  when  it  was  visited  by  the  severest  of  earthly  be 
reavements.  The  wife  of  his  youth,  the  mother  of  his 
children,  was  smitten  by  the  shaft  of  death.  After  ten 
years  of  exposure  to  danger  in  almost  every  form,  he  came 


126  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

back,  in  full  health  and  vigor,  and  with  a  heart  yearning 
for  the  bliss  which  can  only  be  found  at  home,  to  witness 
the  dying  struggle,  and  receive  the  dying  blessing,  of  her 
who  had  been  his  counsellor  and  his  comforter,  and  the 
chief  joy  of  his  existence,  for  a  quarter  of  a  century.  It 
was  a  heavy  stroke,  and  deeply  and  bitterly  was  it  felt, 
though  he  murmured  not  against  Him  who  dealt  the 
blow. 

After  a  considerable  period  of  widowhood,  Colonel  Put 
nam  married  again.  His  second  wife  was  Mrs.  Deborah 
Gardner,  the  widow  of  John  Gardner,  Esq.,  the  fifth  pro 
prietor  of  Gardner's  Island.  She  was  a  native  of  Pomfret, 
the  daughter  of  Mr.  Avery,  one  of  Putnam's  neighbors. 
She  accompanied  him  in  most  of  the  campaigns  of  the 
Revolutionary  War,  and  died  at  his  Head  Quarters,  in  the 
Highlands,  in  1777.  Her  youngest  son,  Septimus  Gard 
ner,  entered  the  army,  under  his  step-father,  and  died  at 
Peekskill,  about  the  same  time  with  his  mother.  Mr. 
Putnam,  had  no  children  by  his  second  marriage. 


CHAPTER    X. 

CAUSES    OF    THE    REVOLUTION. 

The  Navigation  Acts— Writs  of  Assistance— Stamp  Act— Resistance 
in  the  colonies — Activity  and  zeal  ol'  Colonel  Putnam — Stamp 
officers  compelled  to  resign — Case  of  Mr.  Ingersol — His  public 
resignation  at  Weathersfield — Putnam's  interview  with  the  Go 
vernor — Prevalence  of  the  same  spirit — Results— Stamp  Act 
repealed — A  season  of  tranquillity — Putnam  opens  a  public  house 
—General  Lyman's  mission  to  England— Obtains  a  grant  of  land 
on  the  Mississippi — Proceeds  with  Putnam  and  others  to  locate  it 
— Forms  an  establishment  at  Natchez— Putnam  returns  to  take- 
part  in  the  agitations  of  the  country. 

THE  causes  which  led  to  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  the 
establishment  of  American  Independence,  are  too  gene 
rally  understood  to  require  detailed  explanation  here. 
The  oppressive  enactments  of  the  mother-country,  on  the 
one  hand,  and  the  bold  and  spirited  resistance  of  the  colo 
nies  on  the  other,  had  already  awakened  feelings  of  no 
amiable  character  on  both  sides  of  the  water.  And,  while 
the  heroes  and  patriots  of  the  provincial  army  were  fight 
ing  bravely,  side  by  side  with  the  officers  and  soldiers  of 
the  crown,  and  learning  the  art  of  war  in  their  campaigns 
against  their  French  neighbors,  the  contest  had  already 
begun  which  was  to  divide  them  into  separate  armies,  and 
array  them  in  deadly  hostility  to  each  other. 

The  Navigation  Acts  of  1651  and  1660,  and  others  of  a 
still  later  date,  placing  severe  restrictions  upon  American 
commerce,  had  been  the  subject  of  frequent  remonstrance, 


128  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

and  had  often  been  either  quietly  evaded  or  openly  violat 
ed.  The  "  writs  of  assistance,"  or  general  warrants, 
ordered  in  1761,  for  the  discovery  of  contraband  articles, 
which  had  been  imported  into  the  country  without  the 
payment  of  the  established  duties,  were  met  by  the  bold 
and  spirited  denunciations  of  Thatcher,  Otis,  and  the 
Adamses,  nobly  seconded  by  the  voice  of  the  people,  so 
far  as  it  could  be  heard  through  the  press.  The  actual 
enforcement  of  the  laws,  by  the  confiscation  of  smuggled 
goods,  in  1763,  increased  the  excitement,  and  alarmed  the 
staunch  lovers  of  liberty  in  the  colonies. 

The  first  formal  declaration  of  a  settled  purpose  on  the 
part  of  the  ministers  to  tax  the  colonies  directly  was  made 
by  Mr.  Grenville,  prime  minister  of  George  III.,  in  1764. 
It  was  not  only  received  with  a  burst  of  indignation  in 
America,  but  met  by  an  able  and  talented  opposition  in  the 
British  Parliament.  The  consequences  were  foreseen  by 
those  who  best  understood  the  American  character,  and 
valued  the  privileges  of  the  British  Constitution.  But  the 
ministers,  backed  by  the  obstinacy  of  the  king,  were  not 
to  be  diverted  from  their  purpose.  The  Stamp  Act  was 
passed  in  March,  1765,  by  a  large  majority  of  both 
houses  of  Parliament. 

When  the  news  of  the  passage  of  this  Act  reached 
America,  a  general  indignation  spread  throughout  the 
country,  breaking  forth,  in  some  places,  in  acts  of  outrage 
and  violence,  and  in  others  assunrng  the  spirit  of  calm  but 
determined  resistance.  At  Boston  and  Philadelphia  the 
bells  were  muffled,  and  rung  a  funeral  knell.  At  New 
York  the  Act  was  carried  through  the  streets,  with  a 
death's  head  affixed  to  it,  and  styled  "  The  Folly  of  Eng 
land  and  the  Ruin  of  America."  When  the  stamped 
papers  arrived  in  the  country  they  were,  in  many  places, 
seized  and  destroyed  ;  the  houses  of  those  who  sided  with 


MR.    INGERSOL,    THE     STAMP-OFFICER.        129 

the  government  were  violently  entered  and  plundered  ;  the 
stamp  officers  were  compelled  to  resign  their  commissions  ; 
and  the  doctrine  was  openly  asserted,  on  every  side,  that 
England  had  no  right  whatever  to  tax  America,  or  to 
claim  a  dollar  of  her  money  without  her  own  free  con 
sent. 

Among  those  who  entered  most  zealously  into  these 
measures  of  remonstrance  and  open  resistance,  was  Colonel 
Putnam.  With  his  accustomed  fearlessness  and  impetu 
osity,  he  set  his  face  against  every  movement  toward  put 
ting  this  hateful  system  of  oppression  into  execution.  By 
a  concert  of  action  throughout  the  colonies,  the  people  had 
determined,  in  order  to  prevent  the  stamped  paper  from 
being  distributed,  that  the  stamp-masters  should  not  enter 
upon  the  execution  of  their  offices.  That  appointment,  in 
Connecticut,  had  been  conferred  upon  a  Mr.  Ingersol,  of 
New  Haven,  a  very  dignified,  sensible,  and  learned  native 
of  the  colony ;  who,  upon  being  solicited  to  resign  the 
trust,  did  not,  in  the  first  instance,  give  a  satisfactory 
answer.  He,  probably,  did  not  like  the  bold  and  peremp 
tory  style  in  which  the  application  was  made  to  him  ; 
preferring  rather  to  show  his  patriotism  by  his  own  free 
act,  than  by  the  dictation  or  compulsion  of  his  fellow- 
citizens. 

The  people,  however,  were  resolute,  and  would  not 
allow  a  moment's  hesitation  or  delay.  At  the  instigation 
of  Colonel  Putnam — who  was  prevented  from  joining  the 
party  in  person  by  an  accident  which  had  recently  befallen 
him — a  large  number  of  the  substantial  yeomanry  of  the 
province  assembled  at  a  convenient  rendezvous  in  one  of 
the  eastern  counties,  and  proceeded  in  a  body  towards 
New  Haven,  to  demand  and  receive  the  resignation  of  Mr. 
Ingersol.  Another  similar  body  of  self-constituted  rulers 
was  to  have  formed  a  junction  with  them  in  Branford.  On 
6* 


130  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

the  arrival  of  the  eastern  company  at  Hartford,  they  were 
informed  that  Mr.  Ingersol  was  on  his  way  to  that  place, 
where  he  was  expected  to  arrive  the  next  day,  to  claim 
the  protection  of  the  assembly.  They,  accordingly,  took 
up  their  quarters  there  for  the  night— having  first  posted 
their  patrols  on  the  southern  and  western  avenues,  to 
prevent  the  possibility  of  his  arrival  without  their  know 
ledge.  The  next  morning  they  resumed  their  line  of 
march,  and  met  Mr.  Ingersol  in  Weathersfield.  They 
immediately  made  known- to  him  the  errand  on  which  they 
had  come,  giving  him  to  understand  that  the  people  were 
resolute  in  their  purpose,  and  not  to  be  trilled  with.  After 
a  little  dignified  hesitation,  the  worthy  man  yielded  to  the 
law  of  necessity,  and,  mounting  on  a  round  table,  in  the 
midst  of  his  judges,  read  aloud  the  following  paper  : 

"Weatharsfidd,  Sept.  9th,  1765. 

£t  I  do  hereby  promise,  that  1  never  will  receive  any 
stamped  papers  which  may  arrive  from  Europe,  in  conse 
quence  of  an  Act  lately  passed  in  the  Parliament  of  Great 
Britain  ;  nor  officiate  as  stamp  master  or  Distributor  of 
Stamps,  within  the  colony  of  Connecticut,  either  directly 
or  indirectly.  And  I  do  hereby  notify  to  all  the  Inhabit 
ants  of  his  Majesty's  colony  of  Connecticut  (notwithstand 
ing  the  said  office  or  trust  has  been  committed  to  me)  not 
to  apply  to  me,  ever  after,  for  any  stamped  paper  ;  hereby 
declaring  that  I  do  resign  the  said  office,  and  execute  these 
Prevents  of  my  own  FREE  WILL  AND  ACCORD,  without  any 
equivocation  or  mental  reservation. 

"  In  witness  whereof,  1  have  hereunto  set  my  hand. 

"J.  INGERSOL." 

Having  finished  the  reading,  he  was  desired  to  shout 
three  times,  u  Liberty  and  property,"  which  was  respond 
ed  to  by  three  loud  and  hearty  huzzas  from  the  assembled 


INTERVIEW      WITH      GOV.      FITCH.  131 

multitude.  He  was  then  invited  to  dine  with  some  of  the 
principal  men  of  the  party  and  the  place,  by  whom  he  was 
treated  with  the  greatest  respect  and  politeness.  After 
this,  he  was  escorted  by  about  five  hundred  horse  to  Hart 
ford,  where  he  again  read  his  resignation,  amid  the  un 
bounded  acclamations  of  the  people.  All  this  was  done 
in  that  quiet  and  orderly  manner,  which  distinguished  the 
lawful  assemblages  of  the  people,  for  purposes  of  counsel 
and  the  common  defence,  from  the  turbulent  and  ill-con 
sidered  outbreaks  of  an  excited,  irresponsible  mob.  The 
utmost  urbanity  and  good  humor  prevailed,  and  jokes  were 
freely  exchanged,  and  kindly  received,  by  both  parties. 
During  the  progress  of  the  cavalcade  to  Hartford,  Mr. 
Ingersol,  who  rode  a  white  horse,  was  asked  what  he 
thought,  to  find  himself  attended  by  such  a  numerous  and 
motley  retinue.  He  immediately  replied,  with  a  smile, 
"  that  he  had  now  a  clearer  idea,  than  he  had  ever  before 
conceived,  of  that  passage  in  the  Revelations,  which  de 
scribes  Death  on  the  pale  horse,  and  hell  following  him." 

Soon  after  this,  Putnam,  having  so  far  recovered  as  to  be 
able  to  attend  to  his  ordinary  duties,  was  deputed,  with 
two  other  gentlemen,  to  wait  on  the  Governor  of  the  colo 
ny,  in  relation  to  the  same  subject,  and  with  the  same 
resolute  purpose  of  preventing  the  introduction  of  the  hated 
papers  into  any  part  of  the  colony.  The  conversation  that 
took  place  between  Governor  Fitch  and  Colonel  Putnam 
on  this  occasion,  will  serve  well  to  illustrate  the  spirit  of 
the  times,  and  the  resolute  character  of  the  men,  on  whom 
the  duty  devolved  of  representing  and  leading  the  people. 
The  object  of  the  conference  having  been  explained,  and 
the  Governor  satisfied  that  the  people  were  immovable  in 
their  determination  to  resist  the  slightest  encroachment 
upon  their  rights,  he  asked,  in  some  concern,  addressing 
himself  to  Colonel  Putnam — 


132  LIFE     OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

"  What  shall  I  do,  if  the  stamped  paper  should  oe  sent 
to  me  by  the  King's  authority  ?" 

"  Lock  it  up,"  replied  Putnam,  "  until  we  shall  visit 
you  again." 

"  And  what  will  you  do  then  ?" 

"  We  shall  expect  you  to  give  us  the  key  of  the  room, 
in  which  it  is  deposited  ;  and,  if  you  think  proper,  in 
order  to  screen  yourself  from  blame,  you  may  forewarn 
us,  upon  our  peril,  not  to  enter  that  room." 

"  And  what  will  you  do  afterwards  ?" 

"  Send  it  safely  hack  again." 

"  But  if  I  should  refuse  you  admission  ?" 

"  In  such  a  case  your  house  will  be  levelled  with  the 
dust  in  five  minutes." 

Such  interviews  and  scenes  as  this,  could  not  fail  to  pro 
duce  a  deep  impression  of  the  difficulty  of  enforcing  the 
obnoxious  law.  In  some  of  the  colonies  it  was  never  at 
tempted.  The  stamped  paper  was  never  sent  into  Con 
necticut  ;  and  it  was  supposed,  at  the  time,  that  a  report 
of  Putnam's  plain  talk  with  the  Governor,  and  the  con 
strained  resignation  of  the  stamp-officer  at  Hartford,  de 
terred  them  from  trying  the  experiment  in  that  quarter. 

The  same  spirit  prevailed  on  every  side.  The  Provin 
cial  assemblies  were  unanimous  in  their  reprobation  of  the 
measure,  and  one  long,  loud  note,  not  of  remonstrance 
only,  but  of  defiance,  was  heard  from,  the  masses  of  the 
people  from  north  to  south.  Its  echoes  reached  the  ears 
of  the  infatuated  legislators  on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlan 
tic,  and  convinced  them  of  the  futility  of  attempting  to  rivet 
paper  chains  upon  a  people  born  to  freedom,  and  jealous 
of  the  slightest  encroachment  upon  their  rights.  The 
Revenue  System  was  accordingly  abandoned  for  a  season. 
The  Stamp  Act  was  repealed  on  the  18th  of  March,  1766. 
The  news  was  received  in  America  with  lively  expressions 


INN -KEEPING  —  THE      OLD      SIGN.  133 

of  joy  and  gratitude.  Public  thanksgivings  were  held. 
Trade  with  England,  which  had  been  suspended,  was  re 
newed,  and  the  importation  of  British  goods  encouraged, 
and  a  general  calm,  without  a  parallel  in  history,  imme 
diately  succeeded  the  storm,  which  had  raged  with  such 
threatening  violence. 

During  this  short  season  of  tranquillity,  Putnam  resumed 
his  agricultural  employments,  which  he  pursued  with  his 
accustomed  vigor,  though  slightly  interrupted  by  two  acci 
dents,  one  of  which  deprived  him  of  the  first  joint  of  the 
thumb  of  his  right  hand,  while  the  other  was  attended 
with  a  compound  fracture  of  his  right  thigh,  which  short 
ened  that  leg  nearly  an  inch,  and  made  him  slightly  lame 
during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  also,  at  this  time, 
threw  open  his  house  for  the  accommodation  of  the  pub 
lic.  The  old  sign,  which  swung  before  his  door,  as  a 
token  of  rest  and  good  cheer  for  the  weary  wayfarer,  is 
now  to  be  seen  in  the  Museum  of  the  Historical  Society 
of  Connecticut,  at  Hartford.  It  represents  General  Wolfe, 
in  full  uniform,  his  eye  fixed,  in  an  expression  of  fiery  ear 
nestness,  upon  some  distant  object,  and  his  right  arm  ex 
tended,  in  emphatic  gesture,  as  if  charging  on  the  foe,  or 
directing  some  other  important  movement  of  his  army. 
The  sign  seems  to  have  fared  hardly  in  one  respect,  being 
plentifully  sprinkled  with  shot-holes,  which  gives  the  young 
hero  the  appearance  of  having  been  deeply  pitted  with  the 
small-pox. 

The  Provincial  officers  and  soldiers,  who  survived  the 
expedition  to  Havana,  having  deputed  General  Lyman  to 
receive  their  portion  of  prize-money,  he  repaired  to  Eng 
land  for  that  purpose.  He  was  charged,  at  the  same 
time,  with  a  commission  from  a  company  in  America, 
called  "  Military  Adventurers,"  to  solicit  from  the  crown 
a  grant  of  land  on  the  Mississippi. 


134  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

The  delays,  vexations  and  disappointments,  attending 
this  business,  so  chafed  the  spirit,  and  wounded  the 
manly  pride  of  General  Lyman,  that  'he  sunk  into  a  state 
of  despondency  and  mental  imbecility,  and  retiring  to  a 
solitary  place,  resolved  never  more  to  expose  himself  to 
the  indignities  and  disappointments  of  public  life,  and  de 
termined  never  more  to  return  to  his  native  land,  lest  he 
should  be  reproached  with  the  failure  of  his  mission.  In 
this  state  of  morbid  depression,  he  was  visited  by  some  of 
his  own  family,  who  crossed  the  Atlantic  in  quest  of  him, 
and  succeeded  in  finding  his  place  of  retreat.  By  their 
kindness,  sympathy,  and  good  nursing,  he  was  soon  restor 
ed  to  his  wonted  health  and  activity,  and  once  more  re* 
paired  to  London,  to  prosecute  the  object  of  his  mission. 

After  several  years,  thus  consumed  in  attendance  upon 
court,  the  grant  was  obtained,  and  General  Lyman  re 
turned  home,  comparatively  successful.  Colonel  Putnam, 
with  several  other  gentlemen,  accompanied  his  old  com 
mander,  in  1774,  in  a  tour  to  the  far  west,  to  explore  the 
tract,  and  make  preparation  for  settling  it.  Such  an  ex 
pedition  was  not  accomplished  with  as  much  ease,  seventy- 
five  .years  ago,  as  at  the  present  day.  The  steamboat  was 
not  known.  The  railroad  had  not  been  dreamed  of.  A 
trip  to  Oregon  is  not  more  difficult  now,  than  was  the  pio 
neer  jaunt  to  the  Mississippi,  then.  After  a  tedious  voyage 
to  the  Balize,  and  a  laborious  passage  up  the  river,  and 
weeks  of  toilsome  engineering,  they  succeeded  in  estab 
lishing  the  metes  and  bounds  of  their  grant,  and  locating 
the  portions  of  the  several  grantees.  This  done,  they  all 
returned  to  Connecticut,  with  the  intention  of  encourag 
ing  emigration,  and  planting  a  colony  of  industrious  thriv 
ing  Yankees  on  the  banks  of  the  Great  River.  General 
Lyman  returned  thither  in  the  course  of  the  following 
season,  and  formed  an  establishment  at  Natchez,  where 


NOTES     OF     PREPARATION.  135 

he  remained  till  his  death.  Colonel  Putnam  placed  some 
laborers,  with  provisions  and  farming  utensils,  on  his  sec 
tion  of  the  grant ;  and,  from  his  well-known  enterprise 
and  energy  of  character,  would  no  doubt  have  pushed 
the  speculation  to  a  successful  issue,  had  not  the  clouds, 
which  began  to  gather  anew  over  his  devoted  country, 
thrown  a  deep  shade  over  all  such  prospects,  and  diverted 
his  thoughts  from  enterprises  of  private  gain,  to  devising 
and  executing  measures  for  the  public  weal. 

It  was  now  manifest  to  every  observer,  that  the  affairs 
of  the  colonies  had  reached  a  crisis — that,  in  the  language 
of  Washington,  "  the  once  happy  and  peaceful  plains  of 
America  were  either  to  be  drenched  in  blood,  or  inhabited 
by  slaves."  The  season  for  petition  and  remonstrance 
was  gone  by.  The  time  for  action  had  arrived.  The 
future  was  big  with  events  of  immeasurable  importance 
to  the  interests,  not  of  the  American  colonies  merely,  but 
of  humanity.  The  present  was  destined  to  be  an  epoch 
in  the  history  of  human  progress.  And  the  men,  to  whom 
Providence  had  assigned  the  task  of  directing  the  great 
struggle,  by  which  it  was  to  be  achieved,  were  equipped 
for  the  service,  and  ready  to  take  their  posts.  Under 
these  men,  as  councillors  and  leaders,  the  people  instinc 
tively  ranged  themselves.  The  athletic  frame,  the  bold 
and  active  mind,  the  prompt,  determined  air,  and  tried 
courage  of  Colonel  Putnam,  added  to  his  large  experience 
in  military  affairs,  his  ardent  patriotism  and  untiring  zeal, 
marked  him  out  as  one  of  the  leaders,  and  gave  him  a  con 
spicuous  rank  among  them.  By  his  advice  and  assistance, 
measures  were  extensively  taken,  in  his  own  province,  to 
prepare  for  the  worst  that  might  come.  New  life  was  in 
fused  into  the  militia.  The  men.  and  even  the  boys,  who 
were  capable  of  bearing  arms,  were  urged,  and  assisted,  to 
devote  themselves  diligently  to  systematic  exercise  in  the 


13(3      LIFE   OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 

military  art.  Voluntary  associations  were  formed  among 
them,  for  regular  practice  in  military  manoeuvres  and  drill 
ing,  and  the  execution  of  all  the  varied  evolutions  of  the 
camp  and  the  field.  The  militia  trainings  of  that  period 
bore  no  resemblance  to  the  spiritless  and  purposeless  farces 
of  our  day.  They  had  an  object,  lofty,  solemn,  momen 
tous,  and  were  conducted  with  a  spirit  that  made  every 
soldier  feel  himself  a  man,  and  gave  to  every  officer  the 
aspect  and  bearing  of  a  hero.  Every  village  had  its  mili 
tary  school,  and  its  miniature  camp,  where  children  learn 
ed  the  art  of  war  from  their  fathers,  and  where  the  scarred 
veteran  acted  over  again  the  scenes  of  his  youth,  and  taught 
the  striplings  to  emulate  them.  Such  were  the  notes  of 
preparation  that  indicated  the  coming  crisis. 


CHAPTER    XI. 

4GITATIONS    PRECEDING    THE    WAR    OF    INDEPENDENCE 

Duties  on  glass,  paper,  tea,  &c. — Board  of  trade — Resistance — Asso 
ciations  to  suspend  commercial  intercourse  with  England — Other 
measures — Brief  view  of  the  difficult  position  of  the  colonies — 
Resolution  of  leading  men — The  part  taken  by  Colonel  Putnam 
— -His  conferences  with  British  officers — His  opinion  of  the  result 
of  a  war — His  confidence  in  American  women — Committees  of 
correspondence — An  alarm — Putnam's  letter— Defence  of  hiy 
course. 

THE  repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act  was  accompanied  by  another 
declaratory  Act,  designed  as  a  sort  of  salvo  to  the  national 
pride  of  British  Legislators,  affirming  that  the  Parliament 
had  power  to  bind  the  colonies  in  all  cases  whatever 
— a  sufficient  warning,  it  would  seem,  that  the  repeal  was 
but  a  temporary  truce,  in  the  war  against  American  rights. 
That  truce  was  shorter  than  was  at  first  anticipated.  Tak 
ing  advantage  of  the  absence  of  Mr.  Pitt,  who  was  confined 
by  sickness  in  the  country,  Mr.  Townshend,  then  chan 
cellor  of  the  Exchequer,  introduced  a  bill  into  Parliament, 
in  1767,  imposing  duties  on  glass,  paper,  painters'  colors, 
and  tea,  which  was  immediately  passed,  and  approved  by 
the  king.  A  bill  was  also  passed,  establishing  a  board  of 
trade  in  the  colonies,  independent  of  colonial  legislation  ; 
and  others  equally  at  variance  with  the  known  views  of 
the  Americans,  as  well  as  with  the  fundamental  principles 
of  the  British  constitution. 

On  the  revival  of  this  scheme  of  oppression,  the  old 


138  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

spirit  of  resistance  revived  in  all  its  force.  The  colonial 
Assemblies  protested  earnestly  against  it.  The  columns 
of  the  public  papers  were  filled  with  spirited  essays  from 
the  ablest  political  writers  of  the  day,  setting  forth,  in  the 
clearest  manner,  the  fallacy  of  the  principles,  and  the 
injustice  of  these  measures  of  the  ministry  ;  and  appealing 
earnestly  to  the  people  to  resist  them,  even  to  the  last 
extremity.  Otis,  the  Adamses,  Patrick  Henry,  and  many 
others,  stepped  boldly  forth  to  the  defence  of  American 
liberty,  and  kindled  a  flame  which  was  not  to  be  quenched, 
but  by  the  entire  independence  of  the  colonies  from  the 
domination  of  their  unnatural  step-mother.  Some  of 
them,  by  their  fearless  denunciation  of  British  oppression, 
and  their  uncompromising  advocacy  of  the  doctrine  of 
resistance  and  independence,  rendered  themselves  so 
peculiarly  obnoxious  to  the  crown,  as  to  be  honored  with 
a  special  exemption  from  the  promise  of  pardon,  which 
was  subsequently  offered  to  all  who  would  return  to  their 
allegiance,  and  quietly  submit  to  any  burden  which  royalty, 
moved  and  instigated  by  a  tyrannical  ministry,  might  be 
pleased  to  lay  upon  them. 

Associations  were  immediately  formed,  and  agreements 
entered  into,  to  abstain  entirely  from  the  use  of  the  articles 
enumerated  in  the  bill,  and  to  suspend,  as  far  as  possible, 
all  commercial  intercourse  with  the  mother-country,  till 
the  policy  of  colonial  taxation  should  be  utterly  and  for 
ever  abandoned.  All  foreign  luxuries  were  dispensed 
with  ;  domestic  manufactures  of  every  kind  were  freely 
encouraged  ;  and  other  measures  adopted,  to  show  to 
their  British  taskmasters,  that  all  the  advantages  and  con 
veniences  of  a  lucrative  commerce  would  be  sacrificed  in 
a  moment,  sooner  than  they  would  forego  one  jot  or  tittle 
of  their  birthright,  as  free  born  Englishmen.  The  excite 
ment  grew  warmer  and  warmer.  Difficulties  thickened 


DIFFICULT    POSITION    OF    THE    COLONIES.     139 

on  every  side.  The  colonial  Assemblies  were  repeatedly 
threatened,  dissolved,  and  broken  up,  only  to  meet  again, 
with  a  sterner  purpose  of  resistance,  and  bolder  resolves 
than  before.  Soldiers  were  quartered  upon  the  citizens, 
and  stationed  about  the  legislative  halls,  to  overawe  the 
people,  and  intimidate  their  advisers  ;  who  only  became 
the  more  bold  and  unyielding,  at  every  new  demonstration 
ot  the  power  that  was  destined  to  enslave  them. 

It  was  in  the  midst  of  these  excitements,  that  Colonel 
Putnam  made  his  exploring  tour  to  the  banks  of  the  Mis 
sissippi.  The  season  of  his  absence  was  one  of  pecu 
liar  agitation  and  ferment,  and  he  returned  to  find  the 

O 

storm  of  civil  discord  raging  violently,  and  ready  to  burst 
over  his  devoted  land.  The  first  blood  of  the  American 
Revolution  had  been  spilt,  in  the  massacre  of  the  fifth  of 
March,  at  Boston  ;  and  other  scenes  of  agitation  had  been 
enacted,  which  portended  the  coming  conflict,  and  warned 
every  patriot  citizen  to  be  ready  at  his  post,  to  meet  the 
impending  crisis.  It  was  clearly  foreseen  that  it  would 
not  terminate  but  in  blood.  It  was  a  time  to  try  men's 
souls.  America  was  thinly  populated,  divided  into  thir 
teen  separate  governments,  with  many  conflicting  interests, 
and  sectional  jealousies,  to  distract  her  councils,  and  divide 
and  weaken  her  strength  ;  without  a  head,  without  an 
army,  without  a  treasury,  and  without  credit.  The  odds 
against  them  were  fearful,  in  case  of  actual  outbreak, 
their  antagonist  being  by  far  the  most  powerful  nation  on 
earth,  both  by  sea  and  land,  and  capable  of  commanding 
the  resources  of  nearly  all  Europe.  She  had  also  a  tre 
mendous  advantage,  in  having  the  reins  of  government,  in 
all  the  colonies,  in  her  own  hands  ;  and  holding  possession 
of  the  fortified  posts,  with  a  large  part  of  the  arms  and 
ammunition  of  the  country.  Besides  this,  the  people  of 
America  were  as  truly  loyal  as  any  in  the  wide  spread 


140  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

dominions  of  the  king.  They  were  proud  of  their  ances 
tors  and  their  father-land.  They  prized  highly  the  privi 
leges  of  the  British  constitution  ;  and  nothing  short  of  a 
melancholy  persuasion,  that  the  principles  involved  in 
these  measures  of  the  ministry  were  subversive  of  every 
hope  of  liberty,  guaranteed  to  them  by  that  constitution, 
could  have  induced  them  to  raise  the  standard  of  revolt. 

There  were  still  many  Americans,  and  among  them 
some  of  the  ablest  and  most  intelligent  men  in  the  country, 
who  held  fast  their  allegiance  to  the  king,  and  discoun 
tenanced  every  act  of  resistance  as  arrant  rebellion.  Some, 
too,  of  the  most  experienced  officers,  who  had  served  in 
the  French  War,  and  who  well  understood  the  military 
power  of  England,  shrank  from  so  unequal  a  contest,  and 
frowned  upon  every  measure  which  seemed  calculated  to 
widen  the  breach,  and  provoke  an  ultimate  recourse  to 
arms.  In  such  circumstances,  it  required  more  than  ordi 
nary  decision  and  courage  to  become  a  leader  ;  for  though 
success  would  win  for  them  enduring  laurels,  a  failure 
would  consign  them  all  to  the  ignominious  fate  of  rebels. 
Fortunately  for  us  and  the  world,  the  crisis  produced  the 
men  who  were  equal  to  its  utmost  exigency.  Counsellors 
and  statesmen,  bold,  sagacious,  and  far-seeing,  resolved  to 
hazard  everything  dear,  sooner  than  relinquish  one  of  the 
principles  of  liberty,  for  which  alone  they  contended, 
were  found  in  every  province.  Brave  soldiers,  and  com 
petent  officers,  men  of  ample  military  experience  were 
not  wanting,  who  were  ready  at  a  word,  to  leap  into  the 
breach,  and  lead  their  undisciplined  fellow-citizens  to  bat 
tle  with  the  veteran  troops  and  well-trained  legions  of  the 
old  world  ;  preferring  the  prospect  of  an  early  grave,  or  a 
prison  and  a  halter,  to  the  certainty  of  chains  worse  than 
those  of  iron,  which  can  only  enslave  the  body. 

Among  the  foremost  and  most  conspicuous  of  the  latter 


HIS      POSITION      DEFINED.  141 

class,  was  Colonel  Putnam,  whose  courage  and  patriotic 
zeal  was  well  and  widely  known,  and  who  possessed  the 
entire  confidence  of  the  people,  not  only  of  Connecticut, 
but  of  the  sister  provinces.  He  entered  at  once,  and  heart 
ily,  into  the  preparatory  measures,  which  signalized  the 
trying  interval  between  the  first  blood-shedding  at  Boston, 
and  the  actual  opening  of  the  grand  drama  at  Lexington. 
By  reference  to  the  papers,  and  official  documents  of  that 
period,  we  find  him  an  active  and  zealous  partizan  in  the 
affairs  of  the  colonies,  watching,  as  a  sentinel  at  his  post, 
the  signs  of  the  times,  and  urging,  with  all  his  accustomed 
impetuosity  and  energy,  every  expedient  to  rouse  and  keep 
alive  the  spirit  of  resistance,  and  evade  or  prevent  the  exe 
cution  of  those  hateful  laws,  which  threatened  to  enslave 
them.  Boston  was,  at  that  time,  the  head-quarters-  of 
what  the  English  were  pleased  to  term  "  the  rebellion," 
and  the  point  upon  which  they  concentrated  their  severest 
enactments,  and  their  first  military  preparations  to  subdue 
the  refractory  colonies.  Putnam  was  often  there.  He 
was  familiarly  known  to  General  Gage,  the  British  com- 
mander-in-chief,  Lord  Percy,  Colonel  Small,  and  many 
others,  with  whom  he  had  formerly  served,  in  the  "  Seven 
Years'  War."  His  character,  for  all  that  constitutes  a 
brave  soldier  and  an  able  commander,  was  well  known 
and  highly  appreciated  among  them  ;  while  his  personal 
qualities  had  endeared  him  greatly  to  those  who  had  been 
most  familiar  with  him,  in  war  and  in  peace. 

As  the  crisis  approached,  and  the  storm  of  war  seemed 
inevitable,  the  conversation  often  turned,  from  a  warm  dis 
cussion  of  general  principles,  to  matters  of  more  personal 
concern.  But  Putnam  was  not  a  man  to  hesitate  about 
consequences,  when  his  mind  was  settled,  and  his  resolu 
tion  fixed  upon  principles.  When,  therefore,  he  was 
questioned,  by  his  British  friends,  as  to  the  part  he  should 


142  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

take,  in  case  the  dispute  should  proceed  to  actual  hostili' 
ties,  he  always  replied,  and  with  an  energy  that  left  no 
doubt  of  the  sincerity  and  heartiness  of  his  determination — 
UI  shall  take  part  with  my  country  in  any  event ;  and, 
whatever  may  happen,  I  am  prepared  to  abide  the  conse 
quences." 

When  asked  whether  he,  who  had  witnessed  the  prow 
ess  of  the  British  arms,  and  their  repeated  victories  by  sea 
and  land,  did  not  believe  them  equal  to  the  immediate  con 
quest  of  a  people,  who  did  not  own  a  single  ship,  and  who 
had  neither  armies,  nor  commanders,  nor  munitions  of  war 
— he  replied,  with  equal  confidence,  "  I  can  only  say,  jus 
tice  would  be  on  our  side,  and  the  event  with  Providence. 
And,  if  the  combined  forces  of  Great  Britain  and  her  colo 
nies,  required  six  full  years  to  drive  the  French  out  of  Ca 
nada,  I  apprehend  it  will  be  no  easy  task,  for  British 
troops  alone,  to  enslave  a  country,  much  more  extensive 
and  populous  than  Canada.  Besides,  men  fighting  on  their 
own  soil,  in  defence  of  their  altars,  their  hearths  and  their 
liberties,  have  an  advantage,  in  the  sacredness  of  their 
cause,  over  the  mere  mercenaries,  who  fight  only  for  pay 
with  nothing  at  stake  on  the  issue,  but  the  idle  breath  of 
fame.  For  my  part,  I  fully  believe  you  will  find  it  no 
easy  matter  to  conquer  these  American  provinces,  poor  as 
they  are." 

On  one  occasion,  he  was  asked,  with  an  expressive 
sneer,  if  a  well-appointed  army  of  five  thousand  British 
veterans  might  not  march,  without  serious  molestation, 
from  one  end  of  the  continent  to  the  other.  u  No  doubt 
they  could,"  he  replied,  with  animation,  u  if  they  behaved 
themselves  civilly,  and  paid  well  for  everything  they 
wanted.  But,"  he  added,  after  a  moment's  pause,  "  if 
they  should  attempt  it  in  a  hostile  manner,  the  American 
women,  if  the  men  were  out  of  the  way,  would  meet  them 


AN      ALARM.  143 

with  their  ladles  and  broomsticks,  and  put  them  to  rout, 
before  they  had  measured  half  the  breadth  of  the  land." 

Such  was  the  substance  of  frequent  amicable  discussions, 
which  took  place  between  the  advocates  of  the  crown  on 
the  one  part,  and  the  bold  American  leaders  on  the  other, 
indicating  clearly  the  nature  of  the  contest,  in  which  they 
were  soon  to  engage,  but  never  resulting  in  conviction  in 
the  minds  of  the  disputants. 

Among  the  measures  of  preparation  and  precaution, 
which  \vere  generally  adopted,  and  ably  sustained,  in  all 
the  colonies,  was  the  appointment  of  committees  of  vigi 
lance  and  correspondence,  whose  duty  it  was,  to  keep  the 
whole  people  informed  of  whatever  occurred  in  any  part 
of  the  land,  that  should  alarm  the  fear's,  or  awaken  the  jea 
lousy  of  the  most  sensitive  defenders  of  liberty.  Colonel 
Putnam  was  chairman  of  such  a  committee,  for  the  district 
in  which  he  resided,  and,  as  such,  incurred  a  large  share 
of  the  displeasure  of  the  British  party,  for  his  sleepless 
vigilance,  and  prompt,  untiring  zeal. 

A  gentleman,  in  Newr  York,  writing  to  a  friend  in  Anna 
polis,  under  date  of  September  6th,  1774,  says  :  "  Two 
days  ago,  we  were  alarmed  by  the  arrival  of  an  express 
from  Colonel  Putnam,  of  Connecticut,  to  the  committee  of 
this  city,  with  the  intelligence  that  a  certain  person  was 
just  come  to  his  house  from  Boston,  to  acquaint  him  that 
an  affray  had  happened  between  the  people  and  the  troops 
in  Boston.  Colonel  Putnam,  upon  this  advice,  alarmed 
the  wh'ole  country,  moving  them  to  arm  themselves,  and 
take  the  road  to  Boston — which  they  actually  did,  inso 
much  that,  the  postman  says,  that  the  roads  were  covered 
with  people." 

This  proved  to  be  a  false  alarm,  and  the  part  which 
Colonel  Putnam  took  in  it,  was  the  subject  of  no  little 
comment  in  those  papers  of  the  time,  that  were  still  in  the 


144  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

British  interest.  One  of  General  Gage's  defenders,  in  a 
letter  to  Peyton  Randolph,  of  Virginia,  written  at  this 
juncture,  says  :  "  Colonel  Putnam,  of  Connecticut,  with  a 
zeal,  not  according  to  knowledge,  alarmed  that  and  all  the 
southern  provinces,  and  the  whole  country  was  in  mo 
tion." 

To  show  the  spirit  of  the  man,  and  the  excited  state  of 
the  country  at  this  time,  we  give  the  following  extract 
from  Colonel  Putnam's  letter,  explaining  and  justifying 
the  part  he  took  in  the  affair.  After  stating  how  the  story 
came  to  him,  by  a  Captain  Keys,  purporting  to  be  an  au 
thorised  messenger  from  Boston,  he  adds  :  "  Now  I  submit 
it  to  the  determination  of  every  candid  and  unprejudiced 
reader,  whether  my  conduct,  in  writing  the  above-mention 
ed  letter,  merits  the  imputation  of  imprudence,  as  asserted 
by  said  writer,  or  whether  they  would  have  me  tamely  sit 
down,  a  spectator  of  the  inhuman  sacrifice  of  my  friends 
and  fellow-countrymen.  *  *  *  And  pray,  what  easier 
way  could  I  have  proceeded,  than  in  writing  to  one  of  the 
militia  captains,  whom  I  desired  to  forward  the  intelligence 
to  the  adjacent  towns,  when  I  really  believed  the  story  to 
be  true  ?  Which  having  done,  J  mounted  my  horse,  and 
made  the  best  of  my  way  towards  Boston,  having  only 
four  gentlemen  to  accompany  me.  Having  proceeded  as 
far  as  Douglass,  which  is  about  thirty  miles  from  my 
house,  I  met  Captain  Hill,  of  that  town,  with  his  company, 
who  had  been  down  within  about  thirty  miles  from  Boston, 
and  had  just  returned.  He  informed  me  that  the  alarm 
was  false,  and  that  the  forces  of  Worcester  and  Sutton 
were  on  their  return.  I  then  turned  my  course  home 
wards,  without  loss  of  time,  and  reached  my  house  about 
sun-rising  on  Sunday  morning,  taking  care  to  acquaint  the 
people  on  the  road,  that  they  need  not  proceed  any  fur 
ther. 


CAUSE      OF      THE      ALARM.  145 

"  I  believe  the  alarm  was  first  occasioned  by  Mr.  Ben 
jamin  Hallowell,  who,  going  into  Boston  in  a  great  fright, 
informed  the  army  that  he  had  killed  one  man,  and  wound 
ed  another,  while  they  were  pursuing  him  from  Cam 
bridge,  and  the  country  were  all  in  arms,  marching  towards 
Boston,  which  threw  the  military  into  great  consternation. 
*  *  *  In  the  midst  of  this  hurry  and  confusion,  a  post 
was  dispatched  into  the  country,  but  by  whom,  or  to  an 
swer  what  purpose,  I  cannot  tell.  But  what  took  place  in 
consequence  of  it,  is  evident.  General  Gage's  apprehen 
sions  of  danger  were  so  great,  that  he  speedily  began  to 
fortify  the  entrance  to  the  town,  to  prevent  a  surprise  from 
the  enemy  without."* 

The  agitation,  here  referred  to,  was  that  which  resulted 
from  General  Gage's  taking  possession  of  the  powder  in 
the  Arsenal,  at  Charlestown.  The  Arsenal  was  situated 
in  the  north-west  part  of  the  town,  between  Medford  and 
Cambridge.  About  two  hundred  of  the  British  troops,  in 
thirteen  boats,  passed  silently  up  the  Mystic  River,  during 
the  night  of  the  1st  of  September  j  and,  disembarking  at  a 
convenient  place,  proceeded  to  the  powder-house,  and 
carried  off  the  entire  quantity  of  powder  deposited  there, 
amounting  to  nearly  three  hundred  barrels.  Intelligence 
of  this  transaction  was  rapidly  circulated  ;  and,  in  the 
morning,  several  thousand  inhabitants  of  the  neighboring 
towns  assembled  at  Cambridge,  principally  in  arms,  and 
were  with  difficulty  restrained  from  marching  into  Boston, 
to  demand  a  delivery  of  the  powder,  and,  in  case  of  refu 
sal,  to  attack  the  troops.  Amidst  the  noise  and  confusion 
attending  this  affair,  there  sprang  up  a  rumor,  that  the 
fleet  and  troops  were  firing  on  the  town  of  Boston.  It 
flew  through  New  England  with  such  rapidity,  that,  in 
less  than  twenty-four  hours,  there  were  between  thirty  and 

*  Am.  Arch.,  4th  Series.     Vol.  i.,  p.  942. 

7 


146  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

forty  thousand  men  in  arms.  The  roads  to  Boston  were 
thronged  in  all  directions.  And  there  can  be  no  doubt, 
that,  if  the  report  which  caused  all  this  excitement  had 
proved  true,  General  Gage  would,  at  that  time,  have  been 
attacked  in  his  citadel,  and  his  whole  military  force  anni 
hilated  at  a  blow.  At  that  date,  his  force  was  compara 
tively  small,  and  the  fortifications,  which  he  afterwards 
relied  on  to  protect  him  from  incursions  from  the  country, 
were  not  yet  erected.  It  was  the  serious  aspect  of  this 
occasion,  and  the  determined  air  of  the  people  —  who 
gathered  by  thousands  from  all  sides,  at  the  first  tap  of  the 
drum — that  suggested  the  necessity  of  such  defences. 


CHAPTER    XII. 

FIRST    ACT    JN    THE    DRAMA    OF    THE    REVOLUTION, 

Condition  of  the  colonies — Preparations  for  war— Pitcairn's  and 
Smith's  secret  expedition  to  Concord— Skirmish  at  Lexington- 
Stores  destroyed  at  Concord — American  yeomanry  roused — Diffi* 
cult  retreat  of  the  British— In  danger  cf  being  cut  off—Reinforced 
by  Lord  Percy — Closely  pursued,  and  severely  handled  by  the 
Americans — Narrow  escape  of  Major  Pitcairn — His  pistols — The 
alarm — Putnam  at  his  plough — Flies  to  Cambridge'— Boston  in 
vested — Organization  of  the  army — Putnam's  position — General 
Ward — American  officers  tempted  with  bribes— General  Gage's 
treatment  of  the  Bostonians-—  Fortifications  round  Boston— Hazard* 
ous  exploit— Skirmish  at  Njllle  Island— Exchange  of  prisoners, 

IT  was  in  this  state  of  general  excitement,  and  individual 
alarm  and  watchfulness,  that  the  war  of  the  Revolution 
broke  upon  the  colonies.  They  were,  in  a  great  measure, 
unprepared  for  any  serious  conflict,  but  \vere  unanimously 
resolved  to  submit  to  extermination  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet,  rather  than  yield  to  oppression  under  the  forms  of 
law.  They  had  no  army,  though  almost  every  man  and  boy 
in  the  land  was  ready  to  step  into  the  ranks,  at  a  moment's 
warning.  Their  legislative  assemblies  were  forcibly  dis 
solved  ;  the  inhabitants  were  formally  declared  rebels  ; 
and  an  army  sent  to  Boston  to  subdue  them. 

On  the  dissolution  of  the  Assembly  of  Massachusetts, 
its  members  met  again,  and  resolved  themselves  into  a 
Provincial  Congress.  They  appointed  committees  of 
"  safety,"  and  "supplies,"  and  voted  to  raise  and  organize 


148  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

an  army  of  twelve  thousand  men.  They  also  made 
arrangements  for  the  immediate  enlistment  of  one  fourth 
part  of  the  militia,  as  minute-men,  to  be  ready  for  action 
at  a  moment's  warning.  Similar  preparations,  proportion 
ed  in  extent  to  the  population  of  each,  were  made  in  the 
other  colonies.  Military  stores  and  ammunition  were 
purchased,  and  magazines  provided,  in  suitable  places, 
for  their  reception.  Meanwhile,  the  Americans  carefully 
abstained  from  all  offensive  acts.  The  first  aggression 
was  on  the  part  of  General  Gage.  Having  previously 
seized,  and  conveyed  to  Boston,  the  ammunition  and  mili 
tary  stores  in  the  provincial  arsenals  at  Cambridge  and 
Charlestown,  he  proceeded,  on  the  night  of  the  18th  of 
April,  1775,  to  dispatch  a  force  of  eight  hundred  men, 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  Smith  and  Major  Pitcairn, 
to  destroy  those  at  Concord. 

This  expedition  was  planned  in  profound  secrecy  ;  arid 
the  greatest  precautions  were  taken  to  prevent  the  intelli 
gence  of  it  from  going  out  in  advance,  to  alarm  the  peo 
ple.  But  the  Yankees  were  too  wakeful  to  be  taken  by 
surprise.  The  patriots  of  Boston,  by  some  means,  became 
acquainted  with  the  Governor's  design,  and  Dr.  Warren 
immediately  dispatched  confidential  messengers  along  the 
supposed  route,  to  prepare  for  their  reception.  At  Lex 
ington,  a  little  more  than  half  way  to  Concord,  where 
they  arrived  about  daylight,  on  the  morning  of  the  19th, 
the  British  troops  met  with  the  first  appearance  of  hostile 
resistance.  About  seventy  men,  under  cuinrnand  of  Cap 
tain  Parker,  were  drawn  up  on  the  green.  Major  Pit- 
cairn,  supposing  the  voice  of  a  British  officer,  backed  by 
such  a  force  as  he  had  at  his  feet,  would  be  quite  sufficient 
to  subdue  a  single  company  of  raw  militia,  rode  up  to  their 
line,  and  cried  out,  in  an  insolent  tone,  "  Disperse,  you 
rebels,  throw  down  your  arms  and  disperse."  Not  being 


BATTLE      OF      LEXINGTON.  14S 

obeyed,  he  discharged  his  pistol,  and  ordered  his  soldiers 
to  fire.  Several  of  the  militia  were  killed,  and  the  rest, 
feeling  it  was  useless  to  contend  with  numbers  so  greatly 
superior,  retreated  and  dispersed,  but  only  to  gather  again, 
with  large  reinforcements  from  every  quarter. 

The  detachment  proceeded,  without  further  interrup 
tion,  to  Concord,  destroyed  a  part  of  the  stores  deposited 
there,  and  made  a  hasty  retreat.  But  the  militia  of  all  the 
surrounding  country,  having  been  alarmed,  assembled  in 
great  numbers.  A  smart  skirmish  ensued,  and  several 
were  killed  on  both  sides.  To  retreat  through  such  a 
country,  where  every  man  was  an  enemy,  if  not  a  disci 
plined  soldier,  and  where  every  house,  and  tree,  and  fence, 
sheltered  one  or  more  expert  marksmen,  each  capable  of 
picking  off  his  man  at  any  reasonable  distance,  was  no  easy 
matter.  The  Americans  hung  upon  their  rear,  and  harassed 
them  on  every  side,  and  would  inevitably  have  cut  the 
whole  detachment  in  pieces,  had  not  Lord  Percy,  with  a 
reinforcement  of  nine  hundred  men  and  two  field  pieces, 
met  them  at  Lexington. 

Lord  Percy  formed  his  detachment  into  a  square,  in 
which  he  enclosed  Colonel  Smith's  party,  who,  according 
to  Stedman,  "  were  so  much  exhausted  with  fatigue,  that 
they  were  obliged  to  lie  down  for  rest  on  the  ground,  their 
tongues  hanging  out  of  their  mouths,  like  those  of  dogs 
after  a  chase." 

The  enemy,  now  amounting  to  about  seventeen  hundred 
men,  having  halted  an  hour  or  two  at  Lexington,  recom 
menced  their  march,  but  the  attack  from  "the  Provincials 
was  renewed  at  the  same  time,  and  an  irregular,  yet  very 
galling  fire  was  kept  up  on  each  flank,  as  well  as  in  front 
and  rear.  The  close  firing  from  behind'  stone  walls,  by  good 
marksmen,  put  them  in  no  small  confusion  ;  but  they,  on 
their  part,  kepf  up  a  brisk  retreating  fire  on  the  militia  and 


150  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

minute-men.  A  little  after  sunset,  they  reached  Bunker's 
Hill,  where,  exhausted  with  excessive  fatigue,  they  re 
mained  during  the  night,  protected  from  further  annoyance 
by  the  guns  of  the  Somerset  man-of-war,  which  was  so 
situated  as  to  rake  the  neck,  and  so  prevent  their  pursuers 
from  gaining  access  to  Charlestown.  The  following  day, 
they  crossed  over  to  Boston,  carrying  with  them  ample 
evidence  to  satisfy  General  Gage,  that  the  work  of  enslav 
ing  the  colonies  would  be  no  farce. 

The  British  lost,  during  this  expedition,  in  killed, 
wounded,  and  missing,  nearly  three  hundred  men  ;  the 
loss  of  the  Provincials  being  less  than  one  third  that  num 
ber. 

During  the  retreat  from  Lexington,  Major  Pitcairn's 
horse  was  shot  under  him.  The  Major  fell  with  him,  and 
only  escaped  being  made  a  prisoner,  by  feigning  himself 
dead.  His  pursuers,  coming  up,  pulled  his  pistols  from 
his  holsters,  and  leaving  him  unmolested,  kept  on  their 
march.  When  they  had  passed  out  of  sight,  he  took  to 
nis  feet,  and,  by  a  singular  good  fortune,  succeeded  in 
escaping  their  vigilance,  and  overtaking  his  friends.  His 
pistols  were  presented  to  General  Putnam,  on  his  arrival 
at  Cambridge,  and  were  his  constant  companions  through 
all  his  subsequent  military  career.  They  are  still  in  the 
possession  of  one  of  his  grandsons,  John  P.  Putnam,  Esq., 
of  Western  New  York.  They  are  represented  as  being 
of  exquisite  workmanship.* 

*  There  was  another  relic  of  the  old  hero,  the  remains  of  which 
may,  perhaps,  at  some  future  day,  become  the  property  of  one  of  the 
boll  watermen  on  the  Ohio.  We  refer  to  the  good  old  musket  that 
killed  the  wolf,  and  accompanied  its  owner  through  all  the  perils  of 
the  Seven  Years'  War.  It  is  said  to  have  been  dropped  overboard,  in 
the  Ohio,  as  the  General,  in  one  of  his  western  expeditions,  was 
crossing  that  river  in  a  boat. 


I       ' 
THE      COUNTRY      IN      ARMS.  J51 

With  the  rapidity  of  lightning,  the  intelligence  spread  on 
every  side,  that  American  blood  had  been  shed  by  the 
British  troops  at  Lexington.  It  was  the  signal  and  decla 
ration  of  war.  T«he  country  was  all  in  motion.  The  mili 
tia,  on  all  sides,  seized  their  arms,  which  had  been  kept 
in  constant  readiness,  and  rushed  to  the  scene  of  action. 
In  the  course  of  a  few  days,  a  line  of  encampment  was 
formed  from  Dorchester,  through  Roxbury,  Brookline, 
Cambridge  and  Charlestown,  to  the  Mystic  River,  thus 
completely  environing  the  British  troops  in  Boston,  with 
an  army  of  twenty  thousand  men. 

The  alarm,  which  was  carried  by  a  man  with  a  drum 
on  horseback,  found  Putnam  ploughing  in  the  field.  Cap 
tain  Hubbard,  afterwards  a  quarter-master  in  the  army, 
was  in  the  adjoining  field.  They  were  both  ready  for  ac 
tion  in  their  own  way.  Hubbard  was  a  cool,  systematic, 
orderly  man.  He  walked  quietly  home,  put  things  in 
order,  filled  his  knapsack,  and  took  his  way  to  the  camp. 
Putnam  merely  unyoked  his  team  from  his  plough,  and 
bidding  has  boy  to  go  home,  and  tell  his  mother  where  he 
was  gone,  mounted  his  horse,  and  dashed  away  down  the 
road  towards  Boston.  In  twenty-four  hours  he  wras  there, 
a  distance,  in  those  days,  of  nearly  one  hundred  miles.  He 
attended  a  council  of  war  at  Cambridge,  on  the  21st, 
where  the  parole,  in  honor  of  his  arrival,  was  "  Putnam."* 

Finding  the  British  confined  to  Boston,  and  invested 
with  a  sufficient  force  to  watch  their  movements,  and  being 
especially  requested  by  the  Legislature  of  Connecticut, 
then  in  session,  to  meet  them  for  the  purpose  of  consulta- 
ti%i,  he  returned  at  once  to  Hartford.  Having  assisted  in 
levying  and  organizing  a  regiment,  under  authority  of  the 
Legislature,  by  whom  he  was  promoted  to  be  Brigadier- 
General,  he  hastened  back  to  Cambridge,  from  which 

'  C?      ' 

*  Orderly  Book. 


152  LIFE     OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

place  he  was  absent  only  one  week,  leaving  orders  for  the 
troops  to  follow  as  speedily  as  possible.  Among  those 
troops,  Knowlton,  Durkee,  and  many  others,  who  had 
served  with  him  in  the  French  and  IrTdian  Wars,  were 
foremost  to  enlist  under  the  banner  of  so  able  and  tried  a 
commander. 

Collected,  as  the  American  forces  were,  from  different 
and  independent  provinces,  they  were  without  a  common 
head,  and  liable  to  all  the  difficulties  arising  from  personal 
jealousy  and  military  pride,  in  arranging  their  respective 
stations  and  commands.  Some  of  the  best  officers  took 
offence  at  the  position  to  which  they  were  assigned  ; 
and  some  absolutely  refused  obedience  to  those  who  were 
ranked  above  them.  For  the  most  part,  however,  the 
utmost  harmony  and  good  feeling  prevailed.  To  remedy, 
on  their  part,  the  difficulties  arising  from  this  cause  the 
Council  of  Connecticut  passed  a  resolution,  advising  the 
Governor  "  to  order  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  pro 
vince  to  be  subordinate,  and  yield  obedience  to  the  General 
and  commanding  officer  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  while  act 
ing  in  that  province,  and  until  the  Governor  should  see  fit 
to  order  otherwise."*  Whatever  may  have  been  the  case 
with  other  officers,  it  appears  that  General  Putnam's  estab 
lished  reputation,  and  universal  popularity,  secured  for 
him  the  confidence  of  all,  and  raised  him  at  once  to  the 
post  of  honor  and  of  danger.  The  supreme  command,  by 
the  above  resolution,  was  vested  in  Major-General  Ward. 
Putnam,  as  appears,  among  other  evidences,  from  the 
following  extracts  from  letters  of  the  time,  held  a  separate 
command  under  him,  at  an  advanced  post,  which  it  was 
deemed  of  great  importance  to  defend  ;  and  was  regarded, 
at  the  time,  as  but  little  inferior  to  the  commander-in- 
chief.  The  first  is  from  Jedediah  Huntington  to  Jonathan 

*  Am.  Archives,  4th  Series,  vol.  ii.,  page  1039. 


HIS     POSITION     IN     THE     ARMY.  153 

Trumbull,  jr.,  Governor  of  Connecticut,  dated  Cambridge, 
April  27th,  1775,  and  says  :  "  General  Ward  is  at  Rox- 
bury.  General  Putnam  is  commander-in-chief  at  this 
place.  They  have  both  of  them  too  much  business  upon 
their  hands." 

The  second  is  from  an  intercepted  letter  of  one  of  the 
British  soldiers  in  Boston,  to  his  friends  in  England,  dated 
April  30,  1775  :  "  The  whole  country  is  in  arms  against 
us,  and  they  are  headed  by  two  of  the  Generals  that 
headed  our  army  in  the  last  war. — Their  names  are  Ward 
and  Putnam."  *  They  were  both  distinguished  in  the 
French  War,  and  bore  an  active  part,  the  former  as  a 
Lieutenant-Colonel,  the  latter  as  a  Major,  in  the  disastrous 
storming  of  Ticonderoga,  under  the  command  of  General 
Abercrombie  ;  and  now,  by  a  singular  concurrence  of 
events,  were  associated  in  the  direction  of  an  army,  in 
open  hostility  to  their  old  comjnanders,  and  comrades  in 
arms.  Ward,  as  Major-General,  and  commander-in-chief 
of  the  Massachusetts  troops,  was  first.  His  head-quarters 
were  at  Cambridge,  and  Putnam  was  his  principal  execu 
tive  officer  in  that  wing  of  the  army  j  his  immediate  com 
mand  being  a  central  and  advanced  position,  on  the  north 
ern  bank  of  Charles  River,  in  Cambridge,  and  the  same 
spot  where  Smith  and  Pitcairn's  detachment  landed^  on 
the  night  of  the  17th  of  April,  in  their  stealthy  march 
to  .Lexington.  Wooster  and  Spencer,  who  were  his 
superiors  in  rank  in  his  own  province,  were  stationed  at 
Roxbury,  with  the  right  wing  of  the  army  under  the  com 
mand  of  Lieutenant-General  Thomas. 

One  of  the  measures  resorted  to  by  the  British  con  - 
manders,  to  weaken  the  forces  of  their  adversaries,  was  a* 
attempt  to  win  over  to  the  king,  by  bribes  of  gold  and 
offices  of  distinction,  some  of  the  ablest  and  bravest  of  our 

*  Am.  Archives,  4th  Series,  vol.  ii.,  page  423. 

7* 


154  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

military  leaders.  With  some,  among  whom  were  Rogers, 
William  Stark,  &c.,  they  were  successful.  But  Putnam, 
John  Stark,  Henry  Lee,  and  many  others,  spurned  the  pro 
posal  with  a  contempt  and  dignity  becoming  their  true- 
hearted  patriotism,  and  the  claims  of  their  injured  country. 
In  the  case  of  Putnam,  the  bait  held  out  was  a  Major- 
General's  commission  in  the  British  establishment,  and  a 
large  pecuniary  compensation  for  his  services,  as  well  as  a 
handsome  provision  for  his  sons. 

"  These  facts,"  as  Mr.  Everett  happily  remarks,  in  his 
memoir  of  General  Stark,  "  show  that  the  course  pursued 
ty  the  gallant  and  patriotic  officers,  who  had  distinguished 
themselves  in  the  Seven  Years'  War,  and  who  hastened 
to  range  themselves  on  the  side  of  the  Revolution,  was  not 
a  hasty  and  unreflecting  adhesion  to  the  popular  cause. 
They  prove  that  the  question  was  presented  to  the  mind 
of  (Putnam)  as  one  to  be  weighed  deliberately,  and  that 
he  decided  for  his  country,  against  the  influence  of  author 
ity  and  temptation,  to  which  many  a  mind  would  have 
yielded.  His  mind,  however,  was  made  up  from  the  first." 
And  he  never  wavered  or  hesitated  in  the  choice  he  had 
made. 

The  inhabitants  of  Boston,  finding  their  commerce 
broken  up,  and  themselves  cut  off  from  all  communication 
with  the  country,  began  to  be  seriously  distressed  for  pro 
visions.  General  Gage,  taking  advantage  of  this  distress, 
promised  to  allow  them  all  to  leave  the  town,  if  they 
would  first  deliver  up  their  arms.  The  terms  were  rea 
dily  complied  with.  But  the  General,  having  received 
their  arms,  basely  refused  to  let  the  people  go.  It  would 
seem  that  he  wished  to  hold  them  for  his  own  security,  to 
guard  against  an  attack  from  their  friends  without.  At 
least,  such  was  the  charitable  construction  put  upon  his 


I  N  T  R  E  N  G  H  M  E  N  T  S S  K  I  R  M  I  S  H  .  155 

breach  of  faith,  by  the  poet  Trumbull,  in  the  first  canto  of 
McFingal : 

"  So  Gage,  of  late  agreed,  you  know, 

To  let  the  Boston  people  go ; 

Yet,  when  he  saw,  'gainst  troops  that  brav'd  him, 

They  were  the  only  guards  that  saved  him, 

Kept  off  that  satan  of  a  Putnam 

From  breaking  in  to  maul  and  mutt'n  him, 

He'd  too  much  wit  such  leagues  to  observe, 

And  shut  them  in  again  to  starve." 

The  first  object  of  the  besieging  Generals  was  to  construct 
a  line  of  intrenchments,  which,  if  not  a  sufficient  protec 
tion  against  actual  assault,  would  serve  to  inspire  an  undis 
ciplined  and  inexperienced  army  with  confidence  in  their 
position.  In  devising  and  completing  these  defences,  the 
ingenuity,  industry,  and  fine  humor  of  General  Putnam 
were  of  the  greatest  service.  The  lines  went  up  with 
astonishing  rapidity  ;  and,  in  less  than  a  month,  the  ex 
tended  camp  of  the  American  army,  stretching  from  Dor 
chester  to  Chelsea,  a  circuit  of  not  less  than  twelve  miles, 
was  so  fortified  in  every  assailable  part,  as  to  secure  every 
practicable  pass  from  Boston  to  the  country.  The  remains 
of  those  simple,  impromptu  redoubts  are  still  to  be  seen 
in  many  places  along  the  line  of  the  encampment. 

Having  completed  their  intrenchments,  the  next  care  of 
the  American  commanders  was  to  cut  off,  as  far  as  possi 
ble,  such  sources  of  supply  as  lay  within  the  reach  of  the 
enemy.  For  this  purpose,  an  expedition  was  set  on  foot 
to  drive  off  the  live  stock  from  the  islands  in  Boston  Bay. 
Those  nearest  the  encampment,  and  the  most  important, 
were  Hog-Island,  and  Noddle-Island — the  latter  being  now 
known  as  East  Boston.  From  Chelsea  to  the  former  of 
these,  the  water  is  scarcely  two  feet  deep,  at  low  tide. 
It,  therefore,  required  neither  bridges  nor  boats  to  effect 


156  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

the  passage.  The  space  between  the  two  islands  is  also 
fordable  at  low  water. 

On  Saturday,  the  27th  of  May,  at  eleven  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  a  party,  consisting  of  between  twenty  and  thirty 
men,  passed  over  to  Hog-Island,  and  commenced  driving 
off  the  stock  that  was  there.  They  were  interrupted  in 
their  operations,  and  drawn  into  a  skirmish  with  a  party 
of  marines — who  were  stationed  there  to  protect  the  stock 
— asssisted  by  another  party  in  a  schooner  and  sloop,  that 
were  instantly  dispatched  to  their  aid  from  the  fleet  in 
Boston  harbor.  They  succeeded,  however,  in  securing 
and  killing  a  considerable  number  of  horses  and  cows,  as 
well  as  in  bringing  down  several  of  the  British  marines, 
upon  whom  they  kept  up  a  steady  and  well-directed  firing 
during  their  retreat. 

Having  cleared  Hog-Island,  notwithstanding  the  oppo 
sition  of  the  marines,  and  effected  their  retreat  to  Chelsea, 
•without  the  loss  of  a  man,  they  drew  up  on  the  neck,  and 
sent  for  a  reinforcement,  to  complete  the  object  of  their 
expedition.  This  was  immediately  furnished.  It  con 
sisted  of  three  hundred  men,  with  two  field  pieces  (four 
pounders),  under  the  command  of  General  Putnam.  War 
ren,  who  had  not  then  received  his  appointment  in  the 
army,  accompanied  him  as  a  volunteer.  Being  obliged  to 
wait  the  time  of  the  tide,  it  was  near  nine  o'clock  in  the 
evening  before  they  reached  the  island.  General  Putnam 
then  went  down  to  the  beach,  and  hailed  the  schooner, 
demanding  an  immediate  surrender,  and  promising  good 
quarters  in  case  of  a  quiet  submission.  This  demand 
was  answered  by  two  cannon  shot  from  the  schooner ; 
which  was  immediately  returned  by  a  discharge  of  the 
American  field-pieces.  From  this  time,  a  heavy  fire  was 
kept  up  on  both  sides,  till  near  eleven  o'clock,  when  the 
firing  from  the  schooner  ceased.  Her  decks  had  been 


EXCHANGE      OF      PRISONERS.  157 

completely  swept  by  the  pieces  and  small  arms  of  the 
Americans,  and  her  crew  was  now  obliged  to  abandon  her 
and  take  to  the  boats — a  considerable  number  of  which  had 
been  sent  from  the  ships  to  their  assistance,  with  a  rein 
forcement  of  marines. 

The  schooner  being  thus  deserted,  drifted  on  shore. 
About  break  of  day,  the  provincials,  having  first  stripped 
her,  carried  some  hay  under  her  stern,  and  set  her  on  fire 
— the  men  in  the  sloop,  meanwhile,  keeping  up  a  small 
fire  upon  them.  About  the  same  time,  a  heavy  cannonad 
ing  was  commenced  at  Noddle-Island  (East  Boston)  Hill, 
by  a  fresh  party  of  marines  from  the  British  fleet;  notwith 
standing  which,  Putnam  plied  the  sloop  so  briskly,  that 
she  was  soon  entirely  disabled.  To  prevent  her  from 
sharing  the  fate  of  the  schooner,  she  was  towed  off  by  the 
boats,  and  thus  the  conflict  ceased.  The  expedition  was 
entirely  successful,  having  been  effected  by  the  loss  of  one 
man  only  killed,  and  four  slightly  wounded — one  by  the 
bursting  of  his  own  gun,  and  another  losing  only  his  little 
finger.  The  loss  of  the  British  was  twenty  killed,  and 
fifty  wounded,  besides  four  double  fortified  four  pounders, 
twelve  swivels,  and  a  quantity  of  rigging,  sails,  clothes  and 
money,  taken  from  the  schooner.*  It  also  brought  away 
from  the  keeping  and  use  of  the  British,  several  hundred 
sheep  and  cattle,  and  secured  them  for  the  benefit  of  the 
Americans. 

A  number  of  prisoners  having  been  taken  on  both  sides, 
in  the  various  skirmishes  since  the  battle  of  Lexington, 
arrangements  were  made  for  an  exchange  to  take  place  on 
the  6th  of  June.  General  Putnam  and  Dr.  Warren  were 
appointed  to  conduct  the  prisoners,  on  their  part,  to  the 
place  of  meeting.  Entering  Charlestown  about  noon, 
under  the  escort  of  Captain  Chester's  company  of  Wea- 
*  Am.  Archives,  4th  Series,  vol.  ii.;  pages  719  and  874. 


158  LIFE     OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

thersfield  infantry  —  the  elite  corps  of  the  army  —  and 
marching  slowly  through  it,  they  halted  at  the  ferry  ; 
where,  upon  a  signal  being  given,  Majors  Moncrief  and 
Small  landed  from  the  Lively,  to  receive  the  prisoners, 
and  to  see  their  old  friend,  and  comrade  in  arms,  General 
Putnam.  They  had  served  together  in  the  Seven  Years' 
War  ;  had  shared  the  dangers  and  hardships  of  the  camp, 
in  a  common  cause  ;  and  had  learned  to  regard  each  other 
with  that  peculiar  respect  and  affection,  which  brave  men 
and  good  soldiers  always  feel  for  their  comrades,  and 
which  they  are  ever  as  ready  to  recognize  in  a  foe,  as  in 
a  friend.  Their  meeting  was  truly  cordial  and  affection 
ate.*  Their  present  differences  were  forgotten  for  the 
moment,  and,  when  the  wounded  privates  had  been  sent 
on  board  the  Lively,  Major  Small,  Major  Moncrief,  and 
the  captive  officers,  repaired  with  General  Putnam  and 
Dr.  Warren  to  the  house  of  Dr.  Foster,  where  an  enter 
tainment  was  provided  for  them. 

About  three  o'clock,  a  signal  was  made  from  the  Lively, 
that  the  exchange  prisoners  were  ready  to  come  on  shore  ; 
upon  which  General  Putnam  and  Major  Moncrief  went 
down  to  the  ferry  to  receive  them.  They  then  returned 
to  their  company  at  Dr.  Foster's,  and  spent  an  hour  or 
two  in  a  very  agreeable  manner.  Between  five  and  six 
o'clock  they  parted  ;  Major  Moncrief,  with  his  released 
officers,  going  on  board  the  Lively,  and  Putnam  and 
Warren,  with  their  new  found  friends,  returning,  under  the 
same  escort  as  before,  to  Cambridge.  The  whole  affair 
was  conducted  with  the  utmost  decency  and  good  humor 

*  The  late  Governor  Brooks,  of  Massachusetts,  who  was  present 
at  this  interview,  stated,  that  when  Putnam  and  his  British  friends 
met  at  Charlestown,  they  ran  into  each  other's  arms,  and  kissed  each 
other,  to  the  great  diversion  and  astonishment  of  the  country  people 
of  the  army. 


KIND      TREATMENT      OF      PRISONERS.        159 

— neither  party  realizing  at  all,  that  in  ten  short  days  they 
would  be  arranged  in  bloody  conflict,  each  using  his 
utmost  endeavor  to  maim,  capture,  or  destroy,  the  other. 
To  those  who  have  not  been  trained  to  arms,  it  seems 
impossible  that  men  who  truly  love,  admire,  and  respect 
each  other,  should  be  capable  of  being  excited,  by  the 
beat  of  a  drum,  the  blast  of  a  trumpet,  or  the  voice  of  a 
commander,  to  such  desperate  and  savage  exertions  for 
mutual  destruction.  But  such  is  war. 

It  is  greatly  to  the  credit  of  the  American  army,  at  this 
period,  which  they  maintained  throughout  the  whole  war, 
that  the  British  officers,  on  parting  with  their  captors, 
expressed  the  most  grateful  acknowledgments  for  the  kind 
and  generous  treatment  they  had  received  during  the  term 
of  their  captivity.  The  privates,  who  were  all  wounded 
men,  did  the  same  in  the  strongest  terms — some  of  them 
with  tears,  expressing  their  grateful  sense  of  the  tender 
ness  which  had  been  shown  to  them  in  their  miserable 
situation.  A  writer  of  that  day,  in  describing  the  scene, 
and  contrasting  the  treatment  of  American  prisoners  among 
the  British,  with  that  of  their  prisoners  in  our  camp,  con 
cludes  with  the  following  sensible  remarks  :  "  Compassion 
is  as  essential  a  part  of  the  character  of  a  truly  brave  man, 
as  daring ;  and  an  insult  offered  to  a  person  entirely  in  the 
power  of  the  insulter,  savors  as  strongly  of  cowardice,  as 
it  does  of  cruelty."  In  this  quality  of  compassion  and 
generosity  to  his  foes,  General  Putnam  was  not  excelled 
by  any  officer  in  the  army.  He  was  sometimes  reproach 
ed,  by  those  of  a  sterner  character,  for  carrying  this  virtue 
too  far,  and  showing  too  much  lenity  to  the  enemies  of  his 
country.  He  was  incapable  of  a  lasting  resentment,  and 
never  regarded  a  foe  unarmed  as  any  longer  a  foe,  or  a 
prisoner  as  other  than  an  unfortunate  friend. 

The  position  of  the  contending  parties   was  peculiar, 


160  LIFE      OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

The  Americans  greatly  outnumbered  the  British,  but  were, 
at  the  same  time,  altogether  inferior  to  them  in  arms,  am 
munition,  and  all  the  other  means  of  active  warfare.  They 
had  'full  knowledge  of  the  force  and  equipments  of  the 
enemy,  and  of  most  of  their  plans  and  designs.  The  Bri 
tish  General,  on  the  other  hand,  was  ignorant  of  the  real 
strength  of  his  antagonist.  He,  therefore,  quietly  suffered 
himself  to  be  shut  up,  for  several  weeks,  in  his  narrow 
quarters  in  Boston  ;  looking  down  upon  an  enemy  whom 
he  affected  to  despise,  but  whom  he  did  not  dare  to  invite 
to  a  general  engagement.  That  enemy,  too  sensible  of  his 
own  weakness  to  provoke  an  engagement,  yet  daily  acquir 
ing  the  means  and  the  power  to  meet  it,  when  it  should 
become  inevitable,  was  calmly,  hopefully  awaiting  the 
issue  ;  equally  resolved  to  yield  nothing  to  fear,  and  to 
hazard  nothing  by  presumption. 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

THE    BATTLE    OF    BUNKER    HILL. 

An  intrenchment  Ordered  on  Bunker  Hill — Divisions  in  the  Council 
respecting  this  measure — The  detachment — The  Peninsula  of 
Charlestown — Detachment  pauses  at  the  foot  of  the  Hill — A  dis 
cussion — Breed's  Hill  selected  for  a  redoubt — Colonel  Gridley — 
Description  of  the  redoubt — Industry  and  spirit  of  the  men — Sur 
prise  of  the  British — Severe  cannonade — Preparations  for  a  battle 
— Putnam  goes  to  Cambridge  for  reinforcements — General  Ward's 
opinion — Putnam's  position — His  desire  to  fortify  on  Bunker  Hill 
— Landing. of  the  British — "  The  Breastwork"— The  rail  fence — 
Accessions  to  the  American  force— Warren,  Pomeroy,  Stark, 
Reed,  &c. — Putnam's  activity — Terrible  slaughter  among  the 
British — They  retreat — Captain  Callender — British  compelled  to 
retreat  again  and  again — Burning  of  Charlestown — Putnam's 
reception  of  the  incendiaries — Arrival  of  Captain  Foster  with  a 
wagon-load  of  powder — Heavy  loss  of  the  British — Storming  the 
redoubt— The  retreat — Putnam  bringing  up  the  rear— Intrenchment 
on  Prospect  and  Winter  Hills. 

THE  American  commanders,  having  ascertained  that  the 
British  intended  to  take  possession  of  the  heights  of 
Charlestown,  as  a  vantage  ground  from  which  to  dislodge 
them  from  some  of  their  intrenchments,  and  thus  make  a 
way  into  the  country,  resolved,  by  a  sudden  and  secret 
movement,  to  defeat  the  project,  by  advancing  to  that 
position  a  portion  of  the  left  wing  of  their  own  camp. 

Putnam,  who  had  already  carefully  examined  the 
ground,  was  strenuously  in  favor  of  this  movement,  and 
had  urged  it  again  and  again  in  council,  with  all  the  argu 
ments  at  his  command.  In  common  with  Prescott,  and 


162  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

other  veterans,  who  understood  the  character  of  the  Ame 
rican  soldiery,  and  knew  the  immense  advantage  to  the 
order  and  discipline  of  the  army,  which  would  be  derived 
from  active  and  hazardous  service,  he  had  repeatedly  pro 
posed  to  lead  a  party  which  should  invite  an  engagement 
with  the  enemy.  Nothing  short  of  this,  it  was  held,  would 
satisfy  the  army,  or  the  country,  who  were  growing  weary 
of  their  fruitless  inaction.  It  was  with  peculiar  satisfac 
tion,  therefore,  that  they  hailed  %he  decision  of  tho  Coun 
cil,  to  occupy  the  heights  of  Charlestown,  and  show  a  bold 
front  to  the  enemy. 

The  measure  was  ably  opposed  by  some  of  the  best  and 
bravest  men  in  the  Council,  and  there  were  obstacles  in 
the  way  of  its  accomplishment,  which  would  have  appalled 
any  other  men,  than  those  who  planned  and  achieved  it. 
One  of  these  was  the  want  of  powder.  There  were,  at 
that  time,  only  eleven  barrels  in  the  public  depots,  and 
sixty-seven  barrels  in  all  Massachusetts — scarcely  enough, 
under  the  most  prudent  management,  for  one  day's  right 
ing.  To  this  objection,  General  Pomeroy  answered  that 
he  was  ready  to  lead  his  men  to  battle  with  but  five  car 
tridges  a-piece.  They  were  all  experienced  marksmen, 
and  would  fire  no  random  shots ;  and  if  every  American 
killed  his  five,  they  would  have  but  little  occasion  for 
more  powder. 

Ward  and  Warren  objected,  that  the  enterprise  would 
bring  on  a  general  engagement,  for  which  they  were  by  no 
means  prepared.  To  this  Putnam  replied,  "  We  will  risk 
only  two  thousand  men.  We  will  go  on  with  these,  and 
defend  ourselves  as  long  as  possible  ;  and,  if  driven  to  re 
treat,  we  are  more  active  than  the  enemy,  and  every  stone 
wall  shall  be  lined  with  their  dead.  And,  at  the  worst, 
suppose  us  surrounded,  and  no  retreat,  we  will  set  our 
country  an  example,  of  which  it  shall  not  be  ashamed,  and 


PRELIMINARIES      TO      THE     BATTLE.         163 

teach  mercenaries  what  men  can  do,  who  are  determined 
to  live  or  die  free." 

Warren  walked  the  floor,  then  paused,  and  leaned  on 
f-iis  chair.  "  Almost  thou  persuadest  me,  General  Put- 
lam,"  he  said,  "  but  I  must  still  think  the  project  rash  ;  if 
you  execute  it,  however,  you  will  not  be  surprised  to  find 
me  at  your  side." 

"  I  hope  not,"  replied  Putnam,  "  you  are  young,  and 
your  country  has  much  to  hope  from  you,  in  council  and  in 
the  field.  Let  us,  who  are  old,  and  can  be  spared,  begin 
the  fray.  There  will  be  time  enough  for  you  hereafter, 
for  it  will  not  soon  be  over."* 

The  bolder  counsels  prevailed,  and  orders  were  issued 
to  Colonels  Prescott  and  Bridge,  and  the  regiment  of 
Colonel  Frye,  to  be  prepared  for  an  expedition  with  all 
their  men,  who  were  fit  for  service,  and  with  one  day's 
provision.  The  same  order  was  issued  to  one  hundred 
and  twenty  men  of  General  Putnam's  regiment,  under  the 
command  of  the  brave  Captain  Knowlton,  and  one  com 
pany  of  artillery,  with  two  field  pieces.  Putnam  having 
the  general  superintendence  of  the  expedition,  and  Colonel 
Gridley,  the  chief  Engineer,  accompanied  the  troops. 

Putnam's  eldest  son  was  a  Captain  under  him.  His 
youngest,  only  sixteen,  was  a  volunteer.  At  sunset  his 
father  said  to  him,  "  You  will  go  to  Mrs.  Inman's  to-night 
as  usual  ;  stay  there  to-morrow,  and  if  they  find  it  neces 
sary  to  leave  town,  you  must  go  with  them."  From  this 
order,  and  the  attending  circumstances,  the  young  man 
knew  there  was  to  be  a  military  movement  of  some  impor 
tance,  in  which  his  father  would  participate.  "  My  ima 
gination,"  says  he,  "  figured  him  as  mangled  with  wounds, 
and  no  one  near  to  aid  him.  I  earnestly  entreated  permis- 

*  Statement  of  Colonel  Daniel  Putnam,  as  given  by  Colonel 
Swett. 


164  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

sion  to  accompany  him.  c  You,  my  dear  father,  may  need 
assistance,  much  more  than  Mrs.  Inrnan  ;  pray,  let  me  go 
where  you  are  going.'  i  No,  no,  Daniel,  do  as  I  bid  you,' 
was  the  reply,  which  he  affected  to  give  sternly,  while  his 
voice  faltered,  and  his  eyes  filled,  as  if  entering  into  my 
feelings.  He  added,  c  You  can  do  little,  my  son,  where  I 
am  going,  and  there  will  be  enough  to  take  care  of  me." 

The  peninsula  of  Charlestown  is  a  mile  and  one-eighth 
in  length,  from  east  to  west,  and  two-thirds  of  a  mile  across, 
from  north  to  south.  The  Mystic  River  forms  its  north 
ern,  and  the  Charles  River  its  southern  border — the  dis 
tance  between  them,  at  the  Neck,  being  only  one  hundred 
and  thirty  yards.  A  narrow  channel  separates  it  from 
Boston  on  the  east.  Bunker's  Hill  commences  at  the? 
Neck,  and  rises  abruptly  to  the  height  of  one  hundred  and 
thirteen  feet,  and  then,  foiling  off  in  a  gentle  slope  toward? 
the  east,  stretches,  in  a  low  ridge,  for  a  considerable  dis 
tance  along  the  shore  of  the  Mystic,  and  parallel  with 
Breed's  Hill.  Breed's  Hill,  which  is  eighty-seven  feei 
high,  commences  near  the  southern  extremity  of  Bunkei 
Hill,  and  extends  towards  the  south  and  east,  the  two 
summits  being  distant  from  each  other  one  hundred  and 
thirty  rods. 

The  ground  on  the  east  of  Breed's  Hi'l,  as  well  as  on 
the  north,  between  that  and  the  village  uefore  mentioned, 
is  low  and  marshy,  constituting  what  was  called  the 
slough.  The  village  of  Charlestown  was  on  the  south  side 
of  the  hill,  and  had  begun  already  to  extend  itself  a  little 
upon  its  slope.  Morton's  Point,  where  the  ground  was 
also  somewhat  elevated,  the  hill  being  thirty-five  feet 
above  the  level  of  the  water,  forms  the  north-eastern  ex 
tremity  of  the  peninsula,  with  a  narrow  channel  between 
that  and  Noddle  Island.  It  is  now  the  site  of  the  Charles- 
town  Navy  Yard,  the  hill  having  been  levelled  for  the 


THE     PLACE      TO      BE     FORTIFIED.  165 

mutual  accommodation  of  the  town  and  the  Navy  Yard. 
The  peninsula  was  traversed,  on  its  northern  side,  by  a 
narrow  road,  which,  branching  off  at  the  Neck  from  the 
main  avenue  to  the  village,  ran  over  Bunker's,  and  swept 
entirely  around  Breed's  Hill,  approaching  very  near  the 
summit  of  the  latter  on  its  southern  side. 

The  detachment,  drafted  for  this  expedition,  consisting 
of  about  one  thousand  men,  under  the  immediate  command 
of  Colonel  Prescott,  were  assembled  on  the  common  at 
Cambridge,  at  an  early  hour  on  the  evening  of  the  16th 
of  June,  where  prayers  were  offered  by  Rev.  President 
Langdon,  of  Harvard  College.  Immediately  after  dark 
they  commenced  their  silent  march  through  Cambridge 
and  across  the  Neck,  Colonel  Prescott  leading  the  way. 
He  was  attended  only  by  two  sergeants,  carrying  dark  lan 
terns,  open  only  in  the  rear. 

Arrived  at  the  base  of  Bunker's  Hill,  they  found  the 
wagons  laden  with  intrenching  tools,  and  then  only  were 
the  men  made  acquainted  with  the  nature  and  purpose  of 
their  expedition.  A  serious  question  now  arose  among 
the  leaders.  The  order,  directing  the  expedition,  desig 
nated  Bunker's  Hill  as  the  position  to  be  taken  and  forti 
fied.  But  it  was  perceived  at  once,  by  the  experienced 
eye  of  the  sagacious  men,  who  influenced  that  little  coun 
cil,  that-  intrenchments  upon  that  elevation  would  be  of 
little  avail,  unless  the  advance  post  on  Breed's  Hill  was 
first  secured.  The  water  in  the  adjacent  channel  being 
very  deep,  the  Neck  and  the  Hill  were  completely  com 
manded  by  the  ships-of-war  on  either  side,  while  the -dis 
tance  was  too  great  to  render  the  place  of  any  advantage, 
in  restraining  and  annoying  the  enemy  in  Boston,  which, 
as  well  as  the  ships  in  the  harbor,  was  easily  commanded 
by  Breed's.  Much  time  was  consumed  in  deliberation, 
before  they  could  decide  upon  taking  the  responsibility  of 


166  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

deviating  from  the  letter  of  their  orders,  and  acting  upon 
their  own  judgments.  It  was  only  after  repeated  and 
urgent  warnings  from  Colonel  Grid  ley,  that  longer  delay 
would  defeat  their  plans  altogether,  not  leaving  them  time 
enough  to  complete  their  fortifications,  that  they  came  to  a 
decision.  They  then  yielded  to  the  bolder  counsels  of 
Putnam,  to  occupy  first  the  position  nearest  the  enemy, 
•with  a  view  to  erecting  the  principal  work  there,  and  a 
subsidiary  one  on  Bunker's  Hill,  for  the  protection  of  the 
rear,  and  as  a  rallying  point  in  the  event  of  their  being 
driven  from  the  other. 

Having  arrived  at  this  decision,  Colonel  Gridley  pro 
ceeded  immediately  to  lay  out  the  works,  which  he  plan 
ned  with  a  genius  and  skill,  that  would  have  done  honor  to 
the  most  experienced  engineer  in  the  veteran  armies  of 
the  old  world.  The  redoubt  on  the  summit  of  the  hill 
was  about  eight  rods  square.  The  southern  face,  looking 
towards  Charlestown,  was  deemed  the  most  important, 
and  consequently  was  furnished  with  the  strongest  defence. 
The  eastern  side  commanded  a  very  extensive  field, 
stretching  down  towards  Morton's  point.  In  a  line  with 
this,  running  down  the  northern  declivity  of  the  hill  to  the 
slough,  a  breastwork  was  thrown  up,  separated  from  the 
redoubt,  at  its  southern  extremity,  by  a  narrow  passage 
way,  or  sally  port,  protected  in  front  by  a  blind.  In  the 
rear  of  the  redoubt,  was  a  passage,  or  gate-way,  opening 
toward  the  slough. 

It,  -was  midnight,  before  the  first  spade  entered  the 
ground.  It  was  then  within  four  days  of  the  Summer 
Solstice.  They  had,  consequently,  but  about  four  hours 
to  work,  before  the  dawning  light  would  disclose  their 
operations  to  the  enemy,  and  expose  them  to  an  immedi 
ate  cannonading  from  the  batteries  in  Boston,  and  the 
ships  in  the  harbor.  But,  such  was  the  spirit  and  resolu- 


SURPRISE      OF      THE      BRITISH.  167 

tion  of  the  whole  party,  officers  and  men,  that  the  work 
was  effected  in  that  brief  space.  Instructed  and  stimulated 
by  Putnam  and  Prescott,  who  did  not  fear  a  spade,  or  a 
pick-axe,  any  more  than  a  sword  or  a  musket ;  and  feel 
ing  that  life  and  liberty  alike  depended  on  their  success, 
they  performed  prodigies  of  labor,  during  that  notable 
night — surpassed  only  by  the  prodigies  of  valor,  by  which 
they  signalized  the  following  day.  The  works  being  in  a 
state  of  promising  forwardness,  and  every  man  cheerfully 
doing  his  whole  duty,  Putnam  repaired  to  his  camp,  at  an 
early  hour,  to  make  all  necessary  preparations  for  the 
coming  crisis. 

The  crisis  came  with  the  dawning  light.  When  the 
British  officers,  aroused  at  peep  of  day  by  their  startled 
sentinels,  beheld  their  daring  foes  above  them,  overlooking 
their  whole  pjosition  with  formidable  entrenchments,  which 
had  sprung  up  as  by  enchantment  in  the  night,  they  could 
scarcely  credit  the  evidence  of  their  own  senses.  It  was 
instantly  perceived,  that,  if  the  Americans  were  not  driven 
from  their  bold  position  at  once,  Boston  would  be  no  longer 
tenable  by  the  British.  A  council  of  war  was  called, 
which  directed  an  immediate  assault. 

Meanwhile,  as  preparations  for  the  assault  were  going 
on,  a  brisk  but  unavailing  fire  was  opened  upon  the  Ame 
ricans,  from  the  armed  vessels  and  floating  batteries,  and 
from  the  battery  on  Copp's  Hill.  No  sooner  did  the  report 
of  this  cannonade  reach  the  ear  of  Putnam,  than  he  has 
tened  back  to  the  scene  of  action.  The  streets  of  Boston 
were  in  full  view  ;  and  the  busy  preparations  of  the  Bri 
tish  were  easily  discerned  and  understood.  It  was  mani 
fest  that  they  were  soon  to  come  to  the  trial  of  strength 
with  the  veteran  troops  of  the  old  world.  The  prospect 
inspired  Prescott  with  new  ardor ;  but  some  of  his  officers, 
fearing  that  men,  who  were  exhausted  by  the  unintermit- 


168  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

ted  toils  of  the  night,  and  who  were  now  entirely  without 
water  and  provisions,  would  be  incapable  of  performing 
the  service  required  of  them,  earnestly  desired  that  a 
request  should  be  sent  to  the  camp  for  their  relief.  Pres- 
cott  refused  to  admit  the  proposition,  declaring  that  the 
men  who  had  raised  the  works  were  best  able  to  defend 
them,  and  best  entitled  to  the  honors  of  victory.  After 
much  persuasion,  however,  he  consented  to  despatch  a 
messenger  to  General  Ward  for  refreshments.  This  mes 
senger  was  Major  Brooks,  afterwards  distinguished  by  his 
faithful  services  in  war,  as  well  as  by  the  highest  civil 
honors  in  the  State. 

General  Putnam,  on  discovering  the  design  of  the  ene 
my,  returned  immediately  to  Cambridge,  and  urgently 
advised  that  a  reinforcement  should  be  sent  to  Colonel 
Prescott's  aid,  and  that  his  men  should  be  supplied  with 
suitable  refreshment,  before  the  action  should  commence. 
His  application  for  reinforcements  was  unsuccessful.  Gene 
ral  Ward  was  strongly  impressed  with  the  idea  that  the  Bri 
tish  would  land  on  Lechemere's  Point,  or  Inman's  farm,  in 
Cambridge,  and  make  an  assault  upon  the  camp,  and  so  cut 
off  the  rear  of  the  party  in  Charlestown.  He  was  the  more 
convinced  of  this,  as  the  scanty  depots  of  ammunition  and 
military  stores,  on  which  the  salvation  of  the  American 
army  depended,  were  at  Cambridge  and  Watertown,  and 
the  British  could  in  no  way  gain  so  decided  an  advantage 
over  them,  as  by  securing  o.r  destroying  them.  And  this 
had  been  the  direct  object  of  all  their  active  operations 
hitherto.  It  appears,  also,  that  a  formidable  party  in 
General  Gage's  council  of  war,  among  whom  were  Gene 
rals  Clinton  and  Grant,  were  urgently  in  favor  of  making 
their  attack  at  this  place.  Ward,  therefore,  thought  it 
unsafe  to  weaken  his  own  force,  as  that  would  not  only 
invite  an  attack,  but.  render  it  difficult  to  repel  it.  On  the 


HIS      POSITION     IN     THIS     BATTLE.          169 

same  grounds,  he  resisted  the  earnest  solicitation  of  Put 
nam's  troops  to  follow  their  commander  to  the  battle, 
assuring:  them  that  theirs  was  the  post  of  danger,  and, 
consequently,  of  honor. 

Such  being  the  position  of  the  army,  it  is  manifest  that 
Putnam,  though  he  superintended  the  expedition  to  fortify 
the  hill,  had  no  definite  command  in  the  battle  which 
ensutd.  His  camp  and  his  men,  with  the  exception  of 
Captain  Knowl  ton's  company,  were  at  Inman's  Farm,  a 
point  which  General  Ward  regarded  as  most  liable  to 
attack,  and  most  important  to  be  defended.  On  that 
point,  it  was  necessary  that  General  Putnam  should  keep 
a  watchful  eye,  in  order  to  prevent  a  surprise.  His  atten 
tion  was,  consequently,  divided  between  his  own  post — 
which  it  was  his  first  duty  to  defend — and  the  scene  of 
the  battle,  from  which  he  could  not  persuade  himself  to 
be  absent.  And  it  was  not  until  the  British  had  landed, 
and  the  fight  commenced,  that  he  was  relieved  from  all 
apprehension  in  relation  to  the  expected  attack  upon  his 
own  camp,  and  at  liberty  to  give  his  undivided  attention  to 
the  enemy. 

The  cannonading  from  the  British  ships  and  floating 
batteries,  though  kept  up  incessantly  during  all  the  morn 
ing,  effected  nothing.  The  Americans  kept  on  steadily  at 
their  works,  suffering  more  from  hunger  and  fatigue,  than 
from  the  fire  or  the  fear  of  the  enemy.  Putnam  was  very 
anxious  to  avail  himself  of  the  time  required  for  the  Bri 
tish  troops  to  prepare  for  engagement,  to  throw  up  another 
redoubt,  according  to  the  original  plan,  and  in  obedience 
to  orders,  on  Bunker  Hill.  He,  accordingly,  with  a  hand 
ful  of  men,  commenced  an  intrenchment  on  that  summit, 
which,  if  it  could  have  been  completed  so  far  as  to  afford 
a  tolerable  protection  to  his  troops,  would  have  enabled 
him  to  check  the  advance  of  the  British,  and  prevent  them 
8 


1 70  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

from  occupying  the  redoubt  on  Breed's  Hill.  The  two 
summits  were  within  gun-shot  of  each  other,  the  former, 
which  was  nearly  thirty  feet  higher,  having  complete  com 
mand  of  the  latter. 

It  was  late  before  this  intrenchment  was  begun,  and 
other  and  warmer  work  soon  required  its  abandonment. 
A  little  after  noon,  a  large  detachment  of  British  soldiers, 
under  command  of  General  Howe,  supported  by  General 
Pigot,  Colonels  Nesbit,  Abercrombie  and  Clarke,  and  other 
distinguished  officers,  landed  on  Morton's  Point.  The 
breastwork,  extending  from  Prescott's  Redoubt  to  the 
slough,  still  left  an  undefended  pass  over  the  "  ridge," 
towards  Bunker's  Hill.  Putnam  instantly  ordered  Captain 
Knowlton  to  cover  that  pass,  for  which  purpose  an  extem 
pore  and  perfectly  original  defence  was  constructed.  A 
rail  fence,  which  traversed  "  the  ridge,"  was  pulled  up 
and  placed  a  few  feet  from  another  of  the  same  kind,  and 
the  intermediate  space  filled  in  with  new  mown  hay. 
Behind  this  shadowy  parapet,  they  watched  the  move 
ments  of  the  enemy,  prepared  and  resolved  to  give  him  a 
worthy  reception,  as  soon  as  he  should  be  ready  to  ad 
vance. 

The  rumor  of  a  probable  engagement  spread  rapidly  on 
every  side  ;  and  many  private  citizens,  as  well  as  some 
brave  officers  not  on  duty,  flew  to  arms,  and  volunteered 
their  services.  Of  the  latter  were  Generals  Warren  and 
Pomeroy,  each  with  bis  musket  and  cartridges,  prepared 
for  the  hardest  service,  and  inspiring,  with  their  presence 
and  their  words,  a  new  courage  into  the  hearts  of  the 
brave  men,  whose  deeds  of  valor  and  self-sacrifice  were  to 
consecrate  that  day  to  the  cause  of  liberty. 

When  Warren  came  upon  the  field,  he  was  met  by 
Putnam,  who  said  to  him  :  "  1  am  sorry  to  see  you  here, 
General  Warren.  I  wish  you  had  left  the  day  to  us,  as  I 


WARREN     AND     POME  ROY,    VOLUNTEERS.      IT  1 

advised  you.  From  appearances,  we  shall  have  a  sharp 
time  of  it.  But,  since  you  are  here,  I  will  receive  your 
orders  with  pleasure."  Warren  replied  :  "  I  came  only 
as  a  volunteer ;  I  know  nothing  of  your  dispositions,  and 
will  not  interfere  with  them  ;  tell  me  where  I  can  be  most 
tseful." 

Putnam,  intent  on  his  safety,  directed  him  to  the  re 
doubt,  observing,  "  You  will  be  covered  there."  "  Do 
not  think,"  replied  Warren,  "  I  come  here  to  seek  a  place 
of  safety  ;  but  tell  me  where  the  onset  will  be  most  furi* 
ous."  Putnam  again  pointed  to  the  redoubt  ;  "  That," 
said  he,  "  is  the  enemy's  object.  Prescott  is  there,  and 
will  do  his  duty.  If  that  can  be  defended,  the  day  is 
ours  ;  but,  from  long  experience  of  the  character  of  the 
enemy,  I  think  they  will  ultimfitelj*  succeed,  and  drive  us 
from  the  works  ;  though,  from  the  mode  of  attack  which 
they  have  chosen,  we  shall  be  able  to  do  them  infinite 
injury  ;  and  we  must  be  prepared  for  a  brave  and  orderly 
retreat,  when  we  can  maintain  our  ground  no  longer." 

Warren  assented  to  his  opinions,  nnd,  promising  to  be 
governed  by  them,  went  on  to  the  redoubt.  The  soldiers, 
to  many  of  whom  he  was  well  known,  received  him  with 
loud  huzzas.  Prescott  offered  him  the  command,  which 
he  declined  ;  saying,  that  he  had  come  only  as  a  volun 
teer,  and  "  was  happy  to  learn  service  from  a  soldier  of 
experience."* 

The  veteran  General  Pomeroy,  on  hearing  the  distant 
roar  of  the  artillery,  borrowed  a  horse  to  carry  him  to  the 
field.  On  approaching  the  neck,  which  was  swept  by  a 
tremendous  firing  from  the  British  ships,  he  became  alarm 
ed,  not  for  his  own  safety,  but  for  that  of  the  horse  he  had 
borrowed.  He,  accordingly,  left  his  charger  in  charge  of 
a  sentinel,  and  coolly  walked  over,  mounted  the  hill,  and 
*  Colonel  Swett. 


172  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

advanced  to  the  rail  fence.  He  was  received  with  the 
highest  exultation,  and  the  name  of  Pomeroy  rang  through 
the  line.* 

While  these  accessions  were  making  to  the  American 
forces,  and  the  British,  already  landed,  were  waiting  for 
reinforcements,  Putnam  had  twice  ridden  to  head-quarters, 
to  represent  the  absolute  necessity  of  a  competent  force  to 
resist  the  superior  numbers  of  the  enemy.  His  represen 
tations  wrere  at  last  effectual,  and  General  Ward  ordered 
the  New  Hampshire  troops  at  Medford,  under  Colonels 
Stark  and  Reed,  to  repair  to  the  scene  of  action.  Colonels 
Little,  Brewer  and  Gardner,  with  their  respective  com 
mands,  were  successively  brought  into  the  field  ;  and 
these  'were  ultimately  followed  by  Putnam's  Connecticut 
troops,  under  Captains  Coit,  Chester  and  Clarke,  and  the 
heroic  Major  Durkee.  Before  the  action  commenced, 
Putnam  was  employed  in  assigning  these  successive  par 
ties  to  their  posts,  and  giving  a  general  direction  to  the 
arrangements  of  the  forces,  not  under  the  immediate  com 
mand  of  Prescott.  Warren  and  Pomeroy  were  with  that 
officer  in  the  redoubt,  but  each  declined  taking  the  com 
mand,  affirming  that  it  was  justly  due  to  him  who  had 
constructed  the  defences.  Putnam  was  the  only  general 
officer  on  the  field  without,  and  was  drawn  into  the  hot 
test  of  the  engagement,  as  soon  as  it  was  ascertained  that 
the  whole  force  of  the  British  was  to  be  concentrated 
against  Charlestown.  Until  the  drums  beat  to  arms,  he 
did  not  wholly  abandon  the  prosecution  of  his  works  of 
intrenchment.  At  that  signal  he  hastened  to  the  lines. 

The  British  van  soon  appeared  in  view.  The  Ameri 
cans,  eager  to  salute  them,  were  with  difficulty  restrained 
from  firing  too  soon.  General  Putnam  rode  along  the 
line,  giving  strict  orders  that  no  one  should  fire  till  the 
*  Colonel  Swett. 


A  R  T  I  L  L  E  R  Y — C  APT.     CALLENDER.  173 

• 

enemy  had  arrived  within  eight  rods,  nor  then,  till  the 
word  of  command  should  be  given.  "  Powder  is  scarce," 
said  he,  "  and  must  not  be  wasted.  Do  not  fire  at  the 
enemy  till  you  see  the  \vhites  of  their  eyes — then  fire 
low — take  aim  at  their  waistbands — aim  at  the  handsome 
coats — pick  off  the  commanders."  The  same  orders  were 
given  by  Prescott,  Pomeroy,  Stark,  and  all  the  veteran 
officers. 

The  effect  of  these  orders  was  tremendous.  With  a 
bold  and  confident  front,  assured  of  an  easy  victory  over 
the  raw,  undisciplined  troops  of  the  Provinces,  the  British 
troops  advanced  to  the  fatal  line,  eight  rods  in  advance  of 
the  defences,  when  a  well-aimed  volley  from  the  deadly 
muskets  within,  swept  away  the  whole  front  rank,  and  laid 
many  a  gallant  officer  in  the  dust.  Rank  succeeded  rank, 
and  volley  following  volley  mowed  them  down,  till  at 
length  they  were  compelled  to  retreat. 

The  American  army  was  somewhat  deficient  of  artillery, 
and  the  pieces  they  had  on  the  field  were  neither  well' 
provided,  nor  well  manned.  Captain  Callender  carried  his 
pieces  into  the  action,  but,  finding  that  his  cartridges  re 
quired  adjusting,  was  retiring,  in  violation  of  orders,  to 
the  cover  of  the  hill,  to  put  them  in  order  for  use.  Put 
nam  observed  this  movement,  and  instantly  ordered  him  to 
his  post.  Callender  remonstrated,  but  Putnam  threatened 
him  with  instant  death,  if  he  hesitated,  and  thus  forced 
him  back  to  his  post.  His  men,  however,  who  had  not 
been  trained  to  the  use  of  artillery,  were  disgusted  with  a 
service  which  they  did  not  understand  ;  and,  as  most  of 
them  had  muskets,  they  mingled  with  the  infantry,  desert 
ing  their  pieces  altogether.* 

*  This  story  of  Callender  should  never  be  told  without  its  sequel. 
It  illustrates  the  truth  of  the  remark,  which  an  old  writer  has  made, 
that  "unquestioned  circumstances,  and  even  the  verdict  of  an  impar 


174       LIFE  OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 

9 

Three  times  did  the  brave  veterans  of  the  British  retreat 
before  the  deadly  fire  of  the  American  militia,  with  the 
loss  of  whole  ranks  of  men,  and  the  very  elite  of  their 
officers  ;  and  three  times,  in  the  face  of  this  almost  certain 
death,  they  returned  to  the  charge.  They  had  expected 
an  easy  victory,  and  promised  themselves  that,  at  the  first 
approach  of  a  regular  army,  the  raw,  undisciplined  Ame 
ricans  would  fly  like  frightened  sheep.  They  now  found, 
no  less  to  their  cost  than  to  their  surprise,  that  they  had 

tial  jury,  may  misrepresent  a  man's  real  character,  and  affix  a  stigma 
to  his  name,  to  which  every  other  act  of  his  life,  before  and  alter, 
shall  give  the  lie  direct."  Cullender  was  tried  before  a  court-martial, 
on' a  charge  of  cowardice,  and  cashiered.  He  bore  his  disgrace  with 
that  moral  fortitude,  which  is  generally  of  a  higher  character  than 
personal  bravery.  He  instantly  enlisted  as  a  common  soldier  in  the 
company  he  had  commanded,  and  followed  the  fortunes  of  the  war. 
The  soldiers  treated  him  with  the  greatest  respect,  as  did  the  officers 
of  the  company  also,  believing  him  to  be  a  brave  and  an  honorable 
man.  It  was  not  long  before  he  had  an  opportunity  to  show  the  spirit 
that  was  in  him.  He  distinguished  himself  in  several  skirmishes ; 
and,  on  one  occasion,  when  his  commanders  were  all  killed,  and  his 
comrades  had  retreated,  he  alone,  in  the  face  of  the  advancing  enemy, 
loaded  and  fired  his  piece,  and  continued  to  do  so,  while  his  ammuni 
tion  lasted.  When  that  failed,  he  mounted  his  piece,  resolved  to  be 
found  there,  and  there  only,  and  thus  give  the  lie  to  the  unjust  sen 
tence  under  which  he  was  suffering.  His  gallant  conduct  attracted 
the  notice  of  the  British  officer,  who  was  opposed  to  him,  and  so 
commanded  his  admiration,  that  he  ordered  his  men  not  to  fire  upon 
the  unarmed  and  solitary  hero.  He  took  him  under  his  immediate 
protection,  gave  him  a  letter  to  General  Washington,  stating  the  (acts 
relative  to  his  capture,  and  dismissed  him  without  an  exchange.  That 
noble-hearted  chieftain  received  Callender  with  open  arms,  and  with 
tears  of  joy,  restored  his  commission,  allowing  him  to  take  rank  from 
its  original  date  before  the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  at  the  same  time 
ordering  his  sentence  to  b3  erased  from  the  Orderly  Book.  Callen 
der  remained  in  the  army  after  the  peace,  being  one  of  the  few 
whom  the  old  Congress  retained,  and  he  died  in  the  service  on  the 
pr ace  establishment. 


CHARLES  TO  W  N      I  .N7       FLAMES.  175 

men  to  deal  with,  and  that  courage,  daring,  and  the  highest 
heroism,  were  less  a  matter  of  training  than  of  principle. 
As  Colonel  Abercrombie  led  up  his  men  to  the  charge,  he 
was  saluted  by  a  familiar  stentorian  voice  from  the  redoubt, 
reminding  him,  probably,  of  a  reproachful  epithet  he  had 
applied  to  his  enemies,  "  Colonel  Abercrombie,  are  the 
Yankees  cowards  ?"* 

Hitherto  the  British  had  neglected  the  only  manreuvre, 
by  which  they  could  possibly  defeat  their  enemy,  so 
long  as  their  ammunition  should  last.  This  was  to  charge 
with  the  bayonet.  The  Americans  were  wholly  unpro 
vided  with  bayonets,  and  therefore  could  not  resist  or  with 
stand  a  charge.  But  this  the  assailants  did  not  know. 
They  relied  upon  their  fire,  which  was  for  the  most  part 
aimless  and  ineffectual,  while  every  shot  from  the  redoubt, 
the  breast-work,  and  the  rail-fence,  being  reserved  and  de 
liberate,  found  its  victim. 

While  these  terrible  scenes  were  enacting,  several  rein 
forcements  arrived  from  Boston,  to  the  aid  of  the  British, 
till  their  whole  number  amounted  to  not  less  than  eight 
thousand.  To  add  new  horrors  to  the  scene,  vast  columns 
of  smoke  were  observed  over  CharlestowTn,  and  the  village 
was  seen  to  be  on  fire  in  several  places.  General  Howe, 
on  his  first  advance,  had  sent  word  to  Generals  Bur- 
goyne  and  Clinton,  that  his  left  flank  was  much  annoyed 
by  an  incessant  discharge  of  musketry  from  Charlestown, 
and  ordered  them  to  burn  it  down.  A  carcass  was  accord 
ingly  fired  from  Copp's  Hill,  but  it  fell  short.  A  second, 
with  better  aim,  took  effect.  The  conflagration  was  com 
pleted  by  a  detachment  of  men,  who  landed  from  the 

*  See  an  intercepted  letter  from  an  officer  in  the  British  army  in 
Baston  to  his  friend  in  England,  dated  June  25,  1775.  Am.  Arch., 
4th  Series,  Vol.  ii.,  p.  1092.  This  speaker  was  supposed  to  be  Cap 
tain  McClary,  of  the  New  Hampshire  regiment. 


176  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

Somerset  man-of-war.  Under  cover  of  the  smoke,  the 
enemy  hoped  to  be  able  to  gain  the  rear  of  the  Americans, 
unperceived.  But  a  sudden  change  of  wind  revealed  their 
movements,  and  defeated  their  purpose. 

Putnam,  who  had  been  active  in  every  part  of  the  field, 
now  encouraging  and  stimulating  his  men  to  do  their  whole 
duty,  now  seeking  and  bringing  up  the  reinforcements,  and 
directing  them  where  their  services  were  most  needed,  un 
dertook,  with  his  usual  promptness,  to  arrest  this  new 
movement  of  the  enemy.  Callender's  deserted  cannon 
were  near  the  foot,  of  Bunker's  Hill,  when  Captain  Ford 
appeared  with  his  company,  marching  over  the  hill.  Put 
nam,  delighted  with  so  opportune  an  accession  to  his 
strength,  ordered  them  to  man  the  cannon,  and  draw  them 
into  the  line.  After  a  brief  remonstrance,  on  the  score  of 
their  ignorance  of  the  discipline  and  employment  of  artil 
lery,  they  obeyed  the  order,  and  moved  with  the  cannon, 
and  the  General  himself,  first  to  the  rail-fence,  and  then  to 
the  brow  of  the  hill,  overlooking  Charlestown.  Here  he 
opened  a  deadly  fire  upon  the  detachment  of  incendiaries. 
Their  cartridges  were  few  and  soon  expended  ;  but  the 
pieces  were  well-aimed,  General  Putnam  dismounting  and 
pointing  them  himself,  and  every  ball  took  effect.  One 
cannister  was  so  well  directed  that  it  made  a  complete 
lane  through  the  columns  of  the  enemy,  and  threw  them 
into  momentary  confusion.  With  wonderful  courage, 
however,  they  closed  their  ranks,  and  advanced  again  to 
the  charge.  The  Americans,  their  cartridges  being  spent, 
resorted  to  their  muskets,  and  suffering  their  assailants  to 
approach  still  nearer  than  before,  poured  in  a  volley  with 
such  deliberate  aim,  that  the  front  rank  was  swept  wholly 
away,  and  officers  and  men  fell  in  promiscuous  heaps. 

The  pieces  belonging  to  Captain  Gridley's  company, 
having  been  furnished  with  some  cartridges  that  were  too 


A      FRESH      SUPPLY      OF      POWDER.  177 

large  for  use  in  the  ordinary  way,  the  pieces  were  desert 
ed,  and  the  company  scattered.  Putnam  coming  up,  an 
grily  demanded  where  the  officers  were.  On  being  in 
formed  of  the  difficulty,  he  protested  it  was  no  difficulty  at 
all,  and  that  the  pieces  could  and  should  be  loaded.  Dis 
mounting,  and  taking  one  of  the  condemned  cartridges,  he 
broke  it  open,  loaded  the  piece  with  a  ladle,  and  fired  it. 
This  he  did  several  times,  and  with  good  effect. 

In  the  midst  of  this  thunder  of  artillery  and  rattling  of 
musketry,  the  sulphurous  smoke  rolling  up  in  heavy  vol 
umes,  and  the  balls  whistling  by  on  every  side,  Captain 
Foster,  of  Colonel  Mansfield's  regiment,  arrived  with  a 
supply  of  powder  from  the  American  camp.  It  was 
brought  in  casks  in  wagons,  and  distributed  loose  to  the 
soldiers,  as  they  were  able  to  take  it ;  some  receiving  it  in 
their  horns,  some  in  their  pockets,  and  some  in  their  hats, 
or  whatever  else  they  had  that  would  hold  it  * 
^  More  than  a  thousand  of  the  best  of  the  British  troops 
hiad  now  fallen  before  the  murderous  fire  of  an  enemy, 
whom  they  affected  to  despise  as  peasants  and  rebels. 
Among  these,  was  a  large  number  of  their  bravest  and 
most  accomplished  officers.  Major  Small,  an  old  acquaint 
ance  and  friend  of  General  Putnam,  was  left  standing 
alone,  every  one  having  been  shot  down  about  him,  and 
he  a  prominent  mark  for  the  next  shaft  of  death.  The 

*  General  Gideon  Foster,  of  Danvers,  Massachusetts,  who  died 
November  1,  1845,  aged  97.  The  above  is  from  his  manuscript 
copy  of  an  address  made  by  him  on  Bunker  Hill,  June  17,  1843. 
He  proceeds  to  say :  :t  I  well  remember  the  blackened  appearance  of 
those  busy  in  this  work,  not  unlike  those  engaged  in  the  delivery  of 
coal  in  a  hot  summer's  day.  At  the  same  time  we  were  thus  occu 
pied,  the  enemy's  shot  were  constantly  whistling  by;  but  we  had  no 
time  to  examine  their  character  or  dimensions.  I  have  often  thought 
what  might  have  been  our  condition,  had  one  of  their  hot  shot  uncere 
moniously  come  in  contact  with  our  wagons." 
8* 


178  LIFE     OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

never-erring  muskets  were  already  levelled  at  him,  and  a 
certain  death  seemed  instantly  to  await  him ;  when  Put 
nam,  coming  up,  immediately  recognized  him  as  an  old 
friend  and  fellow-soldier,  and  making  a  sign  to  his  men  to 
spare  him,  suffered  him  to  escape  unharmed.* 

In  the  same  spirit  of  generous  chivalry,  the  brave  and 
distinguished  Colonel  Abercrombie,  who  received  his 
death-wound  in  front  of  the  redoubt,  remembered  his  old 
friend  and  comrade,  General  Putnam,  to  whom  he  was 
devotedly  attached,  and,  with  his  dying  breath,  enjoined 
it  upon  his  surrounding  countrymen  to  treat  him  with 
kindness  and  respect,  on  his  account.  "  If  you  take  Gene 
ral  Putnam  alive,"  said  he,  "  do  not  hang  him,  for  he  is  a 
brave  fellow.""}"  A  striking  comment  upon  the  characters 
of  the  two  horoes,  as  well  as  upon  the  summary  mode  of 
treatment  which  the  British  then  designed  to  adopt  with 
their  principal  captives. 

Meanwhile,  the  Americans,  protected  by  their  entrench 
ments,  had  sustained  but  little  loss.  But  now  the  crisis 
was  to  come.  Their  ammunition  was  exhausted,  and 
there  was  no  alternative  but  to  retreat.  General  Howe 
had  learned,  by  a  terrible  experience,  that  it  was  vain  to 
think  of  frightening  the  "  undisciplined  rebels  "  from  their 
defences,  by  the  mere  smell  of  gunpowder.  With  the 
advice  of  the  accomplished  and  chivalrous  General  Clin 
ton,  who  had  just  come  to  his  aid,  he  commanded  the 
works  to  be  scaled,  and  the  enemy  driven  out  at  the  point 
of  the  bayonet.  He  led  the  charge  in-  person,  as  he  had 
done  before.  General  Clinton  joined  General  Pigot,  with 

*  This  incident  is  established  by  the  joint  testimony  of  Colonel 
Small,  who  related  it  to  Colonel  Trumbull,  in  London,  and  of  Colo 
nel  Daniel  Putnam,  to  whom  his  father  related  it,  a  few  days  after 
the  battle. 

t  From  a  London  paper  of  1775. 


SCALING      THE      WORKS.  179 

a  view  to  turn  the  right  flank  of  the  enemy.  The  artillery 
were  ordered  to  advance,  at  the  same  time,  turn  the  left 
of  the  breast-work,  and  rake  the  line.  This  was  the  most 
vulnerable  point  in  the  American  defences,  and  had  hitherto 
been  wholly  overlooked. 

The  brave,  and  so  far  victorious,  defenders  of  the  soil, 
made  every  possible  preparation  to  repel  this  last  desperate 
effort  of  the  assailants.  Putnam  hastened  again  to  the 
rear,  and  made  every  possible  effort  to  bring  on  further 
reinforcements.  In  this,  he  was  but  partially  successful  ; 
but,  with  such  as  he  could  command,  he  returned  to  his 
charge.  It  was  of  little  avail,  however,  for  their  powder 
was  exhausted.  They  had  sent  in  vain  to  the  camp  for  a 
further  supply.  The  magazine  there  was  reduced  to  less 
than  two  barrels.  The  few  who  had  a  charge  remaining, 
reserved  their  last  fire  till  the  artillery,  now  advancing  to 
turn  the  flank  of  their  breast-work,  had  approached  within 
the  prescribed  distance.  Then,  every  shot  took  effect.  The 
gallant  Howe,  who  had  escaped  unhurt  hitherto,  received 
one  of  the  last  of  the  American  balls  in  his  foot. 

The  fire  of  the  Americans  gradually  diminished,  and 
then  ceased.  Instantly  their  muskets  were  clubbed,  and 
the  stones  of  their  defences  were  seized,  and  hurled  at  the 
advancing  foe.  This  only  served  to  betray  their  weakness, 
and  infused  a  new  energy  into  their  assailants.  No  longer 
exposed  to  that  destructive  fire,  which  had  so  fearfully 
thinned  their  ranks,  they  now  marched  forward,  scaled  the 
redoubt,  and  began  the  work  of  retribution.  The  artillery, 
advancing  at  the  same  instant  to  the  open  space  on  the 
north,  between  the  breast-work  and  the  rail  fence,  enfi 
laded  the  line,  and  sent  their  balls  through  the  open  gate 
way,  or  sally  port,  directly  into  the  redoubt — under  cover 
of  which  the  troops  at  the  breast-work  were  compelled  to 
retire. 


180      LIFE   OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 

The  heroic  but  diminutive  Pigot  was  the  first  to  scale 
the  works.  He  was  instantly  followed  by  his  men,  now 
confident  of  an  easy  victory.  Troops  succeeded  troops 
over  the  parapet,  till  that  little  arena,  where  the  first  great 
effort  of  American  prowess  was  put  forth,  was  filled  with 
combatants,  prepared  to  contest  its  possession. 

To  contend,  without  a  bayonet  in  his  company,  with 
such  a  superior  force,  would  have  been  worse  than  mad 
ness.  Prescott  saw  this,  and  reluctantly  ordered  a  retreat. 
He  and  Warren  were  the  last  to  leave  the  redoubt.  The 
latter  seemed  to  disdain  to  fly,  even  when  nothing  else 
remained  to  him.  With  sullen  reluctance  he  followed  his 
countrymen  to  the  port,  which  he  had  scarcely  passed, 
when  a  bail  from  the  enemy  arrested  him.  Major  Small, 
as  a  personal  friend,  and  in  return  for  the  generous  protec 
tion  he  had  just  received  from  Putnam,  endeavored  to  save 
him.  But  Warren  would  neither  yield  nor  fly.  He  fell 
between  the  retreat  and  the  pursuit,  having  won  the  re 
spect  of  his  enemies,  and  the  everlasting  gratitude  of  his 
countrymen,  and  leaving  his  name  as  one  of  the  watch 
words  of  liberty  throughout  the  world.  His  death  was 
deeply  felt,  and  long  lamented,  by  General  Putnam,  who 
was  often  heard  to  remark  upon  llv>  similarity  of  his  fate, 
to  that  of  the  gallant  Lord  Howe,  who  fell  at  his  side,  in 
the  old  French  War.  Both  of  them  were  intimate  friends, 
and  with  both  he  had  earnestly  remonstrated  against  the 
exposure  of  their  persons  to  the  danger,  by  \vhich  they 
were  destined  to  fall. 

The  retreating  Americans  were  now  between  the  two 
wins;s  of  the  British  army,  so  that  they  could  not  fire, 
without  endangering  the  lives  of  each  other.  A  brave 
and  orderly  retreat  was  effected.  Putnam  was  exceed 
ingly  efficient  and  daring  in  assisting  to  bring  up  and  pro 
tect  the  rear.  He  had  confidently  hoped,  a  short  time 


UNIVERSITY 

Or 
IFQS 


HIS      POSITION      IN      THE      RETREAT.          181 

before,  that  they  would  be  able  at  least  to  maintain  the 
ground,  if  not  to  secure  the  victory,  and  was  now  most 
unwilling  to  abandon  it.  The  left  wing,  where  his  troops 
were  stationed,  was,  from  its  position,  the  last  to  retreat, 
its  flank  being  exposed  by  the  retreat  of  the  right  wing. 
He  threw  himself  between  the  retreating  force  and  the 
enemy,  who  were  but  twelve  rods  from  him,  and  seemed 
to  brave  their  utmost  fury.  Not  fully  aware  that  their 
ammunition  was  quite  exhausted,  he  entreated  his  coun 
trymen  to  rally,  and  renew  the  fight.  He  urged  them  to 
finish  his  works  on  Bunker's  Hill,  and  again  give  the  ene 
my  battle  on  that  unassailable  position,  and  pledged  his 
honor  to  restore  to  them  an  easy  victory.  He  was  the 
more  encouraged  to  urge  these  propositions,  as  a  new  rein 
forcement  arrived  from  the  camp,  under  command  of 
Captain  Smith.  The  retreat  was  inevitable,  however, 
and  the  most  these  fresh  troops  could  do,  was  to  assist  in 
keeping  the  enemy  at  bay,  and  defending  from  their  fire, 
those  who  had  neither  powder  nor  bayonets  to  defend 
themselves. 

Putnam,  though  the  balls  fell  around  him  like  hail,  was 
wholly  insensible  of  danger.  Coming  to  one  of  the  de 
serted  field-pieces,  he  dismounted,  took  his  stand  by  its 
side,  and  seemed  resolved  to  brave  the  foe  alone.  One 
sergeant  only  dared  to  stand  by  him  in  this  perilous  position. 
He  was  soon  shot  down,  and  the  General  himself  retired 
only  when  the  British  bayonets  were  close  upon  him,  and 
he  was  in  imminent  danger  of  being  made  a  prisoner.  It 
is  in  this  attitude  of  protecting  the  rear  of  our  retreating 
troops,  that  General  Putnam  is  represented  by  Trumbull, 
in  his  celebrated  picture  of  this  great  battle.  His  figure  is 
conspicuous,  dressed  in  a  light  blue  and  scarlet  uniform, 
with  his  head  uncovered,  and  his  sword  waving  towards 
the  enemy,  as  if  to  arrest  their  impetuous  pursuit,  or  defy 


182  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

their  further  advance.      In  nearly  the   same  attitude  he  is 
exhibited  by  Barlow  in  "  The  Vision  of  Columbus :" 
"  There  strides  bold  Putnam,  and  from  all  the  plains, 
Calls  the  third  host,  the  tardy  rear  sustains, 
And,  'mid  the  whizzing  deaths  that  fill  the  air, 
Waves  back  his  sword,  and  dares  the  following  war." 

The  Americans,  had  retreated  about  twenty  rods,  before 
the  enemy  had  time  to  rally.  They  were  then  suddenly 
exposed  to  a  destructive  fire,  which  proved  more  fatal  to 
them  than  all  the  previous  contest.  Some  of  the  best  and 
bravest  men  were  left  on  this  part  of  the  field,  and  several 
officers,  whose  behavior  that  day  had  given  promise  of  the 
highest  military  distinction.  The  retreat  was  maintained 
in  good  order,  over  the  Neck,  to  Prospect  and  Winter 
Hills,  where  they  took  up  their  position  for  the  night, 
throwing  up  hasty  intrenchments,  -which  were  soon 
strengthened  and  fortified,  so  as  to  present  to  the  enemy 
another  line  of  defence,  equally  formidable  with  that 
•which  they  had  just  purchased  at  the  expense  of  so  much 
blood. 

In  presenting  this  brief  sketch  of  the  Battle  of  Bunker 
Hill,  that  fulness  and  completeness  of  detail  has  not  been 
aimed  at,  which  is  essential  to  a  perfect  historical  narra 
tive,  and  which  alone  can  do  justice  to  all  the  actors  in 
this  opening  scene  in  the  drama  of  the  Revolution.  Our 
special  business  is  with  General  Putnam,  and  the  details 
of  the  battle  are  gone  into  only  so  far  as  is  necessary  to 
exhibit,  in  its  true  light,  the  part  which  lie  bore  in  the  con 
flict.*  It  would,  however,  be  doing  unnecessary  violence 
to  the  common  sentiment  of  patriotic  gratitude,  on  the  part 
both  of  writer  and  reader,  to  leave  the  glorious  field  with 
out  bearing  testimony  to  the  heroism,  valor,  and  endu 
rance,  of  the  many  brave  compeers  of  our  hero,  who  will 

*  Some  further  remarks  upon  this  point  will  be  found  in  Appendix  No.  2. 


ESTIMATES      OF      THE      RESULT.  183 

continue,  to  the  end  of  time,  to  share  with  him  the  glory 
of  one  of  the  hardest  fought,  and  most  unequal,  battles  re 
corded  on  the  page  of  history.  The  names  of  Prescott,  of 
Warren,  of  Pomeroy,  of  Gridley,  of  Stark,  of  Frye,  of 
Bridge,  of  Gardiner,  of  Knovvlton,  of  Durkee,  and  many 
others,  will  be  held  in  grateful  and  honored  remembrance, 
while  the  cause  of  freedom  is  dear  to  the  heart  of  man. 
It  is  true,  they  lost  the  field — but  they  gained  the  day, 
and  made  it  a  marked  day  in  the  calendar  of  the  nations 
They  were  dislodged  from  their  defences,  but  not  defeated 
They  were  driven  back,  but  not  vanquished.  And  though 
the  proud  Briton  claimed  to  himself  a  victory,  in  gaining 
possession  of  the  ground,  he  was  himself  compelled  to 
acknowledge,  that  a  few  more  such  victories  would  ruin 
him,  and  leave  his  rebel  antagonist  master  of  the  whole 
field. 

It  appears,  from  General  Gage's  official  account,  of  the 
battle,  that  the  numbers  of  the  Americans  engaged  in  it 
were  greatly  overrated  by  the  British  ;  unless,  indeed,  the 
statement  is  to  be  regarded  as  a  convenient  fiction,  to  cover 
his  own  chagrin  at  the  result.  Cl  This  action,"  he  sa}*s, 
"  has  shown  the  superiority  of  the  king's  troops,  who, 
under  every  disadvantage,  attacked  and  defeated  above 
three  times  their  own  number,  strongly  posted  and  covered 
by  breast- works." 

In  his  letter  to  Lord  Dartmouth,  accompanying  this  ac 
count,  he  somewhat  inconsistently  observes,  "  The  suc 
cess,  of  which  I  send  your  Lordship  an  account  by  the 
present  opportunity,  was  very  necessary  in  our  present 
situation,  and  I  wish  most  sincerely  that  it  had  not  cost  us 
so  dear.  The  number  of  killed  and  wounded  is  greater 
than  our  forces  can  nfford  to  lose.  The  trials  we  have 
had  show  the  rebels  are  not  the  despicable  rabble  too 
many  supposed  them  to  be.  When  they  find  cover,  they 


184  LIFE      OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

make  a  good  stand,  and  the  country,  naturally  strong, 
affords  it  to  them  ;  and  they  are  taught  to  assist  its  natu 
ral  strength  by  art,  for  they  intrench,  and  raise  batteries. 
Your  Lordship  wiil  perceive  that  the  conquest  of  this 
country  is  not  easy,  and  can  be  effected  only  by  time  and 
perseverance,  and  strong  armies  attacking  it  in  various 
quarters,  and  dividing  their  forces." 

In  the  account  transmitted  to  the  Continental  Congress, 
by  the  Congress  of  Massachusetts,  are  the  following 
remarks  :  "  With  a  ridiculous  parade  of  triumph,  the  min 
isterial  generals  again  took  possession  of  the  hill,  which 
had  served  them  as  a  retreat,  in  their  flight  from  the  battle 
of  Concord.  It  was  expected  that  they  would  prosecute 
the  supposed  advantage  they  had  gained,  by  marching 
directly  to  Cambridge,  which  was  not  then  in  a  state  of 
defence.  This  they  failed  to  do.  The  wonder,  excited 
by  such  conduct,  soon  ceased,  when  we  were  told,  that  of 
three  thousand  men,*  who  marched  out  upon  this  expedi 
tion,  no  less  than  fifteen  hundred  were  killed  or  wounded, 
and  about  twelve  hundred  of  them  either  killed  or  mor 
tally  wounded.  Such  a  slaughter  was  perhaps  never 
before  made  upon  British  troops,  by  about  fifteen  hundred 
men,  which  were  the  most  that  were  at  any  time  engaged 
on  the  American  side." 

*  It  was  afterwards  ascertained,  upon  good  authority,  that  Jhe 
number  of  the  British  was  five  thousand.  That  of  the  Americans 
fluctuated.  There  were  probably  as  many  as  thirty-five  hundred  on 
the  hill,  during  the  day,  though  numbers  of  them  took  no  active  part 
in  the  battle,  and  a  considerable  detachment  arrived  only  in  season  to 
cover  the  retreat. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

ARRIVAL    OF    WASHINGTON     AT    CAMBRIDGE.       ORGANIZATION 
OF    THE    ARMY.        FORTIFICATIONS 

Position  of  the  colonies — Congress  assumes  command  of  the  army — 
Washington  appointed  commander-in -chief — Arrives  at  Cambridge 
— Subordinate  appointments — Putnam  aMajor-General — Jealousies 
— How  reconciled — Putnam's  high  reputation — Courts  of  inquiry 
— The  British  fortifying  Bunker  Hill — Organization  of  the  Ame 
rican  camp — Washington's  regard  for  Putnam — His  opinion  of 
him — New  fortifications — Putnam's  activity — Rev.  Mr.  Harvey — 
Anecdotes— "  Declaration"  of  Congress,  how  received  by  the  army 
—  Incidents  at  Cobble-Hill  —  Major  Knowlton's  sortie  upon 
Charlestown  neck — Scene  in  the  Boston  theatre— Peculiar  charac 
ter  of  the  continental  army — Influence  and  arduous  duties  of  the 
officers. 

THE  war  had  now  commenced  in  serious  earnest;  and 
there  was  no  amicable  retreat  from  the  positions  mutually 
taken, -without  such  concessions  of  principle,  as  neither  of 
the  contending  parties  could  be  reasonably  expected  to 
make.  The  appeal  to  arms,  forced  upon  the  colonies  by 
the  stringent  and  unyielding  policy  of  the  mother-country, 
and  hurried  to  a  crisis  by  the  rash  and  ill-advised  mea 
sures  of  the  representatives  of  royal  power,  was  solemnly 
accepted,  and  the  issue  fearlessly  referred  to  the  decision 
of  that  all-wise  Providence,  that  guides  and  controls  the 
affairs  of  nations,  and  of  men. 

The   colonies   were   as  yet  distinct  Provinces,  having 
many  common  interests  and  sympathies,  but  no  common 


186  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

bond  of  union.  There  were  different  shades  and  degrees 
of  attachment  to  the  crown,  and  widely  varying;  convictions 
of  the  "  divine  right  "  of  kings.  But  there  was  an  almost 
universal  sentiment  of  the  injustice  and  inequality  of  the 
ministerial  policy,  and  a  general  and  determined  resolution 
to  maintain  the  divine  rights  of  the  subject,  at  whatever 
cost  to  themselves,  or  to  the  assumed  and  unconstitutional 
prerogatives  of  the  throne.  This  had  been  boldly,  but 
respectfully  expressed  in  all  the  colonies.  But,  hitherto, 
there  had  been  no  concert  of  action,  with  a  view  to  forci 
ble  resistance.  A  Congress  of  the  several  colonies  was 
now  in  session  at  Philadelphia,  but  without  any  certain 
and  well  defined  powers  to  bind  the  colonies  to  any  mea 
sures  which  they  might  recommend.  The  Provincial 
Congress  of  Massachusetts  had  proposed  a  definitive  alli 
ance,  and  "the  establishment  of  such  a  form  of  federal 
government,  as  should  promote  the  union  and  interests  of 
all  America ;"  declaring,  at  the  same  time,  their  own 
readiness  to  "  submit  to  such  general  plan  as  the  Congress 
might  direct."  This  was  the  voice  of  New  England,  now 
involved  in  actual  war.  It  demanded  immediate  action  on 
the  part  of  the  sister  colonies.  Nor  did  their  delegates  in 
Congress  hesitate  a  moment  what  course  to  pursue.  They 
determined  immediately  and  unanimously,  that,  as  hostili 
ties  had  actually  commenced,  and  large  reinforcements  to 
the  British  army  were  instantly  expected,  they  should  be 
immediately  put  in  a  state  of  defence.  They  assumed 
command  of  the  army,  made  provision  for  its  increase  and 
support,  and  appointed  George  Washington,  then  a  Colo 
nel  in  the  Provincial  ranks  of  Virginia,  to  be  Commander- 
in-chief  of  all  the  American  forces. 

General  Washington  arrived  in  the  camp,  at  Cambridge, 
and  took  command  of  the  army  on  the  2d  of  July.  He 
brought  with  him  commissions  from  the  Continental  Con- 


HIS     PROMOTION     AS     MAJOR-GENERAL.        187 

gress  for  four  Major-Generals,  and  for  other  officers  of 
inferior  grade.  The  four  superior  stations  were  assigned 
to  Ward,  Lee,  Schuyler,  and  Putnam.  Pomeroy,  Mont 
gomery,  Wooster,  Heath,  Spencer,  Thomas,  Sullivan,  and 
Greene,  were  made  Brigadiers  ;  and  Gates  an  Adjutant- 
General,  with  the  rank  of  Brigadier. 

These  appointments,  as  they  disturbed  the  relative  posi 
tion  of  some  of  the  officers  then  in  the  service,  occasioned 
much  dissatisfaction,  and  called  for  all  the  wisdom  and 
prudence  of  Washington,  to  adjust  and  harmonise  their 
differences.  Putnam's  commission  he  handed  to  him  im 
mediately  on  his  arrival  at  Head  Quarters.  The  others 
he  took  the  responsibility  of  withholding,  till  he  could 
have  time  to  consult  Congress  further  upon  the  subject. 
Meanwhile,  these  appointments  had  been  publicly  an 
nounced  in  the  newspapers,  and  commented  upon  in  pri 
vate  correspondence.  The  pride  of  military  rank  was 
touched  in  its  most  sensitive^point.  Personal  honor,  which 
always  divides,  with  the  glory  and  interest  of  his  country, 
the  soldier's  heart,  was  deeply  aggrieved,  and  demanded 
to  be  heard  in  its  own  defence.  This  is  a  worthy  principle, 
and  should  not  be  lightly  overlooked.  It  is  not  always 
purely  selfish.  A  strict  regard  to  its  claims  is  absolutely 
essential  to  the  maintenance  of  that  profound  respect  and 
prompt  subordination,  without  which  there  can  be  no  such 
thing  as  discipline,  order,  or  efficiency  in  the  military 
establishment.  It  should  never,  therefore,  be  looked  upon 
as  a  matter  of  mere  personal  etiquette,  or  a  question  of 
form.  It  has  higher  and  more  extended  relations,  whose 
delicacy  and  intrinsic  importance  can  be  duly  estimated 
only  by  those  who  have  had  large  experience  in  the  ser 
vice  of  the  camp  and  the  field. 

Some  of  the  most  valuable  officers  in  the  provincial  ser 
vice  left  the  camp  in  disgust — among  whom  were  Thomas, 


188  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

Wooste.r,  and  Spencer.  The  two  last  named  officers  were 
superseded  by  the  promotion  of  General  Putnam,  who  was 
of  a  lower  grade  in  the  provincial  establishment.  Spencer 
retired  from  his  post,  without  waiting  the  arrival  of  the 
commander-in-chief,  or  leaving  any  formal  announcement 
of  his  resignation.  The  officers  under  his  immediate  com 
mand  addressed  a  letter  to  the  President  of  the  Provincial 
Congress,  speaking  in  the  highest  terms  of  respect,  admi 
ration  and  confidence  towards  their  General,  and  deprecat 
ing  his  resignation,  as  not  only  a  source  of  grief  and  solici 
tude  to  themselves,  but  a  calamity  to  the  high  and  holy 
cause,  in  whose  defence  they  were  all  enlisted.  A  similar 
representation  was  made  on  the  part  of  those  more  imme 
diately  interested  in  the  reputation  and  services  of  General 
Wooster. 

A  Committee  was  immediately  appointed  by  that  body,* 
with  instructions  to  write  to  the  Continental  Congress  in 
relation  to  the  matter,  acquainting  them  with  the  high 
estimation  in  which  Wooster  a'nd  Spencer  were,  universally 
held,  "  at  the  same  time  testifying  their  sense  of  the  singu 
lar  merit  of  General  Putnam  ;"  and  expressing  their  ear 
nest  hope  and  desire,  that  some  mode  might  be  devised  to 
reconcile  these  differences,  without  wounding  the  honor, 
or  jeoparding  the  invaluable  services,  of  any  of  those  able 
and  experienced  officers,  on  whose  cordial  co-operation 
their  hopes,  under  Providence,  mainly  depended. 

It  is  highly  creditable  to  General  Spencer's  patriotism, 
as  well  as  a  proof  of  his  high  sense  of  General  Putnam's 
extraordinary  merit  as  an  officer,  that  he  soon  returned  to 
the  army,  and  consented  to  serve  under  him  whom  he  had 
formerly  commanded.  Thomas,  also,  after  much  persua 
sion,  returned  to  his  post ;  from  which  he  was  soon  after 
promoted  to  a  higher  grade,  with  the  distinguished  honor 

*  Am.  Archives,  4th  Series,  vol.  ii.,  page  1586. 


HIS      WELL-EARNED      REPUTATION.         189 

of  succeeding  Montgomery  in  the  command  of  the  Ame 
rican  forces  before  Quebec.  Wooster,  from  his  advanced 
age,  declined  any  appointment  on  the  continental  establish 
ment,  though  he  rendered  some  service,  as  a  provincial 
officer,  in  some  of  the  subsequent  campaigns  ;  and  ulti 
mately  fell,  April  27,  1777,  in  a  gallant  attempt  to  repel  a 
strong  party  of  royalists,  who,  under  command  of  General 
Tryon,  made  a  descent  upon  Connecticut,  to  destroy  the 
American  stores  at  Danbury. 

General  Putnam  had  now  arrived  at  the  highest  grade 
of  distinction,  recognized  in  the  American  army.  Widely 
known,  and  universally  respected  by  his  own  countrymen, 
and  equally  respected  and  feared  by  the  enemy,  to  whom 
he  had  been  long  and  favorably  known,  as  an  officer  of 
eminent  courage  and  ability,  his  position  was  one  well  cal 
culated  to  stimulate  the  enthusiastic  ardor  and  emulation 
of  the  younger  officers,  and  awaken  the  natural  jealousy 
and  discontent  of  those  of  equal  age  and  experience,  who 
were  aspiring  to  the  same  honor,  and  whose  long  aiid  ar 
duous  services  were  recognized  and  appreciated  by  the 
army  and  the  country,  as  a  just  title  to  the  best  awards  of 
fame.  But  his  popularity  was  universal.  Even  those, 
who  might  then  have  envied  him,  did  not  presume  to  de 
tract  from  his  well-earned  fame,  or  to  breathe  a  whisper  to 
his  discredit,  either  as  a  citizen  or  as  a  soldier.  He  passed 
the  ordeal  of  an  eventful  life,  without  a  reproach.  It  was 
reserved  for  a  malice,  that  could  rankle,  unseen  and  un 
heard,  in  the  heart,  till  almost  thirty  years  had  passed  over 
nis  honored  grave,  and  till  his  original  biographer  and  the 
natural  protector  of  his  fame  had  followed  him  to  his  long 
home,  to  attempt  the  work  of  detraction.  The  utter  failure 
of  that  attempt,  and  the  ample  proof  which  it  called  forth, 
of  the  clear  and  indisputable  title  of  its  victim  to  the  glo 
rious  name  he  had  won  among  the  worthies  of  the  olden 


190  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

time,  "  speaks  volumes  of  comfort  to  the  illustrious,  yet 
slandered  living,  showing  how  true  merit  outlives 
calumny,  and  receives  its  sure  reward  in  the  admiration 
of  after  ages." 

The  case  of  Captain  Callender  has  already  been  alluded 
to.  His  was  by  no  means  a  solitary  one.  Probably  no 
conflict  in  the  history  of  the  world,  ever  gave  rise  to  so 
many  charges  of  cowardice,  and  dereliction  of  duty,  or  was 
followed  by  a  more  severe  and  searching  scrutiny  into  the 
conduct  of  those  engaged  in  it,  than  that  of  Bunker  Hill. 
Tl.e  Colonists  had  not  yet  absolutely  thrown  off  the  yoke 
of  England.  There  was  still  a  great  diversity  of  opinion, 
whether  or  not  it  would  be  necessary,  or  expedient,  ulti 
mately  to  do  so.  There  were,  consequently,  among  the 
supporters  of  the  American  cause,  very  different  degrees 
of  hostility  to  the  king,  and  of  military  ardor  and  zeal,  in 
opposing  his  unjust  exactions.  It  was,  therefore,  often 
times  difficult  to  distinguish,  with  absolute  certainty,  be 
tween  friends  and  foes.  In  such  circumstances,  the  con 
duct  of  every  individual  was  watched  with  the  strictest 
scrutiny  ;  and  every  man,  against  whom  the  shadow  of  a 
charge  could  be  raised  by  the  most  jealous  defender  of 
liberty,  was  arraigned  before  a  court-martial,  and  subject 
ed  to  a  formal  and  severe  trial.  Even  Colonel  Bridge,  not 
withstanding  the  severity  of  his  labors,  and  the  dangerous 
and  honorable  wounds  he  had  received,  did  not  escape  this 
ordeal.  These  trials  were  continued,  without  intermission, 
from  the  7th  of  July  to  the  5th  of  October, |  and  so  rigor 
ously  was  the  discipline  of  the  camp  sustained  by  the  court, 
that  offences,  which  would  now  be  overlooked,  or  visited 
writh  a  slight  reprimand,  were  then  punished  with  severity. 
In  view  of  these  facts,  it  is  no  small  praise  to  the  spirit  of 

t  Hubley,  pp.  352,  390,  416,  470,  498,  507,  511,  525,  528,  537,  510, 
558,  577,  588,  592.     See  also  the  Orderly  Books  of  the  day,  passim. 


ACQUAINTANCE     WITH     WASHINGTON.       191 

the  men  engaged  in  that  conflict,  that  two  only  of  the  com 
missioned  officers  were  degraded  from  their  rank,  on  the 
charge  of  cowardice,  and  that  one  of  them/ by  nobly  dis 
proving,  in  his  after-life,  the  charge  which  deprived  him 
of  his  commission,  compelled  even  his  enemies  to  plead 
for  its  restoration.  The  other  was  regarded,  by  many  of 
those  who  knew  him  best,  as  too  harshly  treated.  Three 
others  were  found  guilty  of  misconduct,  and  dismissed 
from  the  service,  with  an  acknowledgment  on  the  part  of 
the  court,  that  their  errors  were  those  of  inexperience, 
rather  than  of  cowardice. 

The  British,  having  gained  possession  of  the  peninsula 
of  Charlestown,  proceeded  to  erect  a  strong  fortification 
upon  the  summit  of  Bunker  Hill,  where  Putnam  had  al 
ready  broken  ground  for  them,  and  \vhere,  had  he  succeed 
ed  in  his  plan  of  intrenchments,  hd  would  undoubtedly 
have  kept  them  at  bay.  The  fortifications  in  Boston  were 
also  greatly  strengthened,  while  the  Provincial}  now  adopt 
ed  as  the  Continental  army,  was  so  posted  in  the  circum 
jacent  country,  as  to  form  a  complete  blockade,  except  on 
the  side  of  the  sea.  The  Colonists,  having  no  fleet,  and 
the  Castle  being  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  the  British 
had  free  access  to  the  port. 

Immediately  on  the  arrival  of  Washington,  the  army 
was  formed  into  three  grand  divisions,  each  consisting  of 

O  7  O 

about  twelve  regiments.  Major-General  Ward  was  ap 
pointed  to  the  command  of  the  right  wing,  stationed  at 
Roxbury  and  Dorchester.  Major-General  Lee  commanded 
the  left  wing,  stretching  to  the  Mystic  River  ;  and  Major- 
General  Putnam  occupied  an  advanced  post  in  the  centre, 
within  a  few  miles  of  the  head-quarters  of  the  cornmandor- 
in-chief. 

Washington  arid  Putnam  were  personally  unknown  to 
each  other,  until  they  met  at  Cambridge.  The  open,  undis- 


192  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

guised  frankness  of  the  Yankee  General,  together  with  his 
great  activity  and  personal  industry,  in  everything  per* 
taining  to  the  army,  soon  attracted  the.  attention,  and  won 
the  approving  smile,  of  his  commander.  An  early  inti 
macy  was  formed  between  them,  and  a  firm  friendship 
established,  which  continued  undisturbed,  during  the  whole 
period  of  their  eventful  military  service,  It  was  not  in 
Putnam's  nature  to  be  idle.  Inured  to  habits  of  industry 
himself,  he  was  an  able  and  efficient  director  of  the  labors 
of  others.  He  was  as  single-hearted,  frank  and  generous, 
as  he  was  bold  and  energetic.  The  men,  under  his  direc 
tion,  worked  with  such  hearty  good  will,  and  the  works, 
on  which  they  were  engaged,  advanced  with  such  unusual 
rapidity  and  success,  as  to  excite  the  admiration  of  Wash 
ington,  who,  addressing  General  Putnam,  as  he  passed 
around  to  inspect  the  works,  remarked,  "  You  seem  to 
have  the  faculty,  sir,  of  infusing  your  own  industrious 
spirit  into  all  the  workmen  you  employ."  In  one  of  his 
letters  from  Cambridge,  written  about  the  same  time,  and 
addressed  to  the  President  of  Congress,  he  speaks  of  Put 
nam  as  "  a  most  valuable  man,  and  a  fine  executive  offi 
cer."  The  commendation  of  Washington  was  never 
thoughtlessly  bestowed,  and  his  confidence  was  so  rarely 
misplaced,  as  to  invest  his  judgment,  and  his  penetration 
into  the  character  of  those  about  him,  with  an  almost  un 
erring  precision. 

Soon  after  the  arrival  of  Washington,  Putnam  received 
an  urgent  invitation  from  his  friend,  Major  Small,  of  the 
British  army,  to  hold  a  conference  with  him,  under  the 
protection  of  a  flag.  By  Washington's  advice,  he  accept 
ed  the  invitation,  and,  to  his  surprise,  found  that  its  prin 
cipal  object  was  to  renew  the  attempt,  which  had  already 
been  fruitlessly  made,  to  withdraw  him  from  the  cause  he 
had  espoused,  and  engage  him  on  the  side  of  the  king. 


NEW      FORTIFICATIONS.  193 

The  most  liberal  promises  were  made,  both  of  rank  and 
emolument,  including  the  most  desirable  provision  for  his 
sons,  in  case  of  his  compliance.  But  they  were  all  spurn 
ed  with  contempt,  and  with  the  assurance,  that  nothing 
could  win  him  back  to  his  old  allegiance,  or  induce  him 
to  lay  down  his  arms,  but  an  utter  and  eternal  abandon 
ment,  on  the  part  of  Great  Britain,  of  those  unrighteous 
principles  of  administration,  which  had  given  rise  to  the 
present  contest,  and  to  the  maintenance  of  which  every 
true  American  had  pledged  his  fortune  and  his  life.  The 
nature  and  result  of  this  conference  were  communicated 
to  Washington,  at  whose  suggestion  the  whole  affair  was 
kept  secret,  and  remained  so  for  many  years. 

Intrenchments  were  already  thrown  up  on  Winter  and 
Prospect  Hills — about  a  mile  westward  from  that  division 
of  the  enemy  which  lay  on  the  Peninsula  of  Charlestown, 
and  in  full  view  of  it.  Eastwardly  of  the  works  on  Winter 
Hill,  towards  Mystic  River,  redoubts  were  thrown  up,  to 
prevent  the  enemy  from  passing  up  that  river,  or  effecting 
a  landing  opposite  the  fort  on  the  hill.  At  Ploughed  Hill, 
much  in  advance  of  Prospect  Hill,  and  within  half  a  mile, 
on  a  direct  line,  of  the  British  intrenchments  on  Bunker 
Hill,  a  formidable  breast-work  was  thrown  up,  in  the  face 
of  an  incessant  cannonade  from  the  enemy's  works.  Put 
nam  was  exceedingly  active  and  energetic  in  forwarding 
the  completion  of  these  defences  ;  not  only  directing  others 
in  their  toils,  but  putting  his  own  hands  to  the  work,  like 
one  who  felt  that  there  was  dignity  in  labor,  when  conse 
crated  to  a  holy  cause.  "  On  one  occasion,"  says  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Harvey,  "  he  came  along  near  where  I  was  at 
work,  and,  seeing  a  quantity  of  sods  which  had  just  been 
brought  up,  he  addressed  himself  to  one  of  the  men,  direct 
ing  him  to  place  them  on  the  wall ;  remarking  at  the 
same  time,  '  You  are  a  soldier,  I  suppose  ?'  The  order 
9 


194  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

not  being  executed  on  the  instant,  the  General  added, 
'Oh  !  I  see  you  are  an  officer,'  and  immediately  took  hold, 
and  placed  the  sods  himself.  Meanwhile,  the  balls  were 
continually  pouring  in  from  the  British  forts  ;  sometimes 
killing  our  men,  and  sometimes  tearing  our  works  ;  but 
they  went  forward,  nevertheless,  and  were  soon  in  a  con 
dition  to  return  the  compliment."* 

About  the  20th  of  July,  the  declaration  of  the  Conti 
nental  Congress,  setting  forth  the  grievances  of  the  coun 
try,  and  the  reasons  which  rendered  necessary  a  resort  to 
arms,  was  read  before  the  several  divisions  of  the  army. 
The  paper  concluded  with  the  following  noble  sentiments: 
"  In  our  own  native  land,  in  defence  of  the  freedom  that 
is  our  birthright,  and  which  we  ever  enjoyed  until  the 
late  violation  of  it  ;  for  the  protection  of  our  property, 
acquired  sojely  by  the  honest  industry  of  our  forefathers 
and  ourselves  ;  against  violence  actually  offered,  we  have 
taken  up  arms.  We  shall  lay  them  down  when  hostilities 
shall  cease  on  the  part  of  the  aggressors,  and  all  danger  of 
their  being  renewed  shall  be  removed,  and  not  before. 

11  With  an  humble  confidence  in  the  mercies  of  the 
Supreme  and  impartial  Judge  and  Ruler  of  the  Universe, 
\ve  most  devoutly  implore  his  divine  goodness,  to  conduct 
us  happily  through  this  great  conflict,  to  dispose  our  adver 
saries  to  reconciliation  on  reasonable  terms,  and  thereby 
to  relieve  the  empire  from  the  calamities  of  civil  war." 

*  Rev.  Mr.  Harvey,  of  Herkimer,  N.  Y.,  an  aged  veteran  of  the 
Revolution,  who.  on  the  llth  of  July,  181G,  completed  his  1 1 1th  year. 
He  is  hale  and  hearty,  and  in  perfect  possession  of  his  faculties.  All 
that  is  here  referred  to  him  as  authority,  was  taken  down  from  his 
own  lips  by  the  compiler,  during  his  visit  to  New  York,  in  May. 
When  requested  to  state,  in  a  few  words,  his  own  estimate  of  the 
character  of  Putnam,  and  of  his  standing  in  the  regards  of  his  coun 
trymen,  he  replied,  with  the  solemn  emphasis  of  an  aged  prophet, 
"  He  was  a  man  animated  for  the  good  of  his  country." 


ENTHUSIASM     OP      THE     ARMY.  195 

Agreeably  to  orders  previously  issued  by  General  Put* 
nam,  the  troops  under  his  immediate  command  were 
assembled  in  full  parade  on  Prospect  Hill,  on  this  occa 
sion.  When  the  last  words  of  the  declaration  were  pro 
nounced,  the  whole  division,  at  a  signal  from  the  general, 
shouted  in  unison  their  loud  and  thrice  repeated  Amen  to 
its  solemn  appeal  to  heaven.  At  the  same  instant,  a  gun 
was  fired  from  the  fort,  and  the  new  standard,  just  receiv 
ed  from  Connecticut,  was  run  up,  and,  unfolding  itself  to 
the  air,  displayed  on  one  side,  the  motto,  in  letters  of  gold, 
a  An  Appeal  to  Heaven  j"  and  on  the  other,  the  armorial 
bearings  of  Connecticut — consisting  of  three  vines,  with 
out  supporters  or  crest,  with  the  motto  "  Qui  transtulity 
sustinct  ;"*  a  beautiful  allusion  to  the  confidence  our  pil 
grim  fathers  placed  in  the  protecting  care  of  providence, 
and  to  the  three  allegorical  scions,  Knowledge,  Liberty, 
and  Religion,  which  they  had  transplanted  to  America. 

An  animated,  pathetic,  and  highly  patriotic  address  to 
the  army,  was  then  made  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Leonard,  Chap 
lain  to  General  Putnam's  division,  followed  by  prayer. 
"The  whole,"  says  an  eye-witness,  "  was  conducted  with 
the  utmost  decency,  good  order  and  regularity,  and  to  the 
universal  acceptance  of  all  present.  And  the  Philistines 
on  Bunker's  Hill  heard  the  shout  of  the  Israelites,  and 
being  very  fearful,  paraded  themselves  in  battle  array. "| 

As  evidence  of  the  cheerful  spirit  and  good  humor, 
which  prevailed  at  this  time  among  the  defenders  of 
liberty,  and  a  specimen  of  the  manner  in  which  Putnam 
encouraged  his  men,  by  endeavoring  to  make  their  toil  a 
recreation,  the  following  anecdote,  related  by  the  venera 
ble  Captain  Foster,  of  Danvers,  is  given.  Captain  Foster 
belonged  to  Colonel  Mansfield's  regiment,  which  was  sta- 

*  He  who  transplanted  will  support  them. 
t  Am.  Archives,  4th  Series,  vol.  ii.,  page  1687. 


196  LIFE     OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

tioned  on  Prospect  Hill,  within  the  command  of  General 
Putnam.  By  orders  from  the  General,  all  the  Captains 
were  desired  to  meet.  It  was  then  stated  to  them  that  a 
secret  and  hazardous  expedition  was  planned,  and  it  was 
desired  that  one  of  their  number  should  volunteer  to  take 
the  command. 

After  waiting  a  short  time  for  his  seniors  to  have  an 
opportunity  to  offer,  Captain  Foster  stepped  forward  with 
a  proffer  of  his  services.  Six  or  eight  men  were  drafted 
from  each  company  They  were  ordered  to  arm  and 
equip  themselves  completely,  and  repair  to  General  Put 
nam's  quarters.  On  presenting  themselves  before  his  tent, 
the  bluff  old  general  came  out,  and  reviewed  them  in  due 
form ;  when,  having  commended  their  spirit  and  good 
appearance,  he  ordered  them  to  lay  aside  their  arms  and 
equipments,  provide  themselves  with  axes,  and  go  into  a 
neighboring  swamp  and  cut  a  quantity  of  fascines,  which 
they  were  to  bring  in  upon  their  shoulders.  The  men 
expected  to  gain  honor  by  their  cheerful  exposure  to  un 
known  dangers  and  hardships  ;  but  their  greatest  danger 
was  from  the  attacks  of  the  musquitoes,  and  their  greatest 
exposure  was  to  the  mirth  of  their  fellow-soldiers. 

With  a  view  to  acting  upon  Boston,  a  large  number  of 
boats  were  prepared,  and  kept  in  readiness  in  Charles 
River.  It  was  a  part  of  Putnam's  duty,  as  commanding 
officer  at  this  station,  to  exercise  his  men  in  the  proper 
management  and  discipline  of  these  boats.  On  one  occa 
sion,  about  the  middle  of  July,  it  happened,  that,  in  execut 
ing  a  certain  manoeuvre, one  of  the  smaller  boats,  either  from 
mistaking  the  order,  or  from  want  of  skill  in  following  it, 
ran  athwart  the  track  of  the  larger  one,  of  which  Putnam 
had  the  command.  With  his  usual  impetuosity,  without 
checking  his  course  in  the  least,  or  deviating  from  his 
track,  he  ran  the  disorderly  shallop  down,  staving  in  her 


INCIDENTS   AT   COBBLE   HILL.      197 

side,  and  tumbling  her  whole  crew  into  the  water.  Hav 
ing  completed  the  movement  he  had  ordered,  the  delin 
quents  were  all  carefully  picked  up,  and  cautioned  to  be, 
for  the  future,  more  attentive  to  the  word  of  command. 

In  November,  General  Putnam  was  ordered  to  erect 
another  fortification  on  Cobble  Hill.  This  was  the  spot 
where  the  Asylum  for  the  Insane  now  stands.  It  was 
about  the  same  distance  from  the  British  works  on 
Charlestown  heights,  as  Ploughed  Hill,  but  nearer  to 
those  in  Boston.  As  soon  as  the  Americans  were  perceiv 
ed  to  be  engaged  in  this  work,  the  British  ships  of  war  in 
Charles  River,  as  well  as  the  forts  on  Bunker's  Hill,  open 
ed  a  severe  fire  upon  them,  which  was  kept  up  without 
respite  during  their  entire  progress.  Captain  Putnam,  a 
son  of  the  General,  held  a  command  at  this  post.  As 
some  of  his  men  were  one  day  reclining  upon  the  green 
sward,  taking  some  refreshments,  the  General  coming 
along,  cried  out — u  Up  in  a  moment,  or  you  are  all  dead 
men."  They  started  up  at  the  word,  and  hastened  to  their 
work.  No  sooner  had  they  cleared  the  way,  than  a  ball 
from  the  enemy  ploughed  the  ground  where  they  had  been 
lying,  and  buried  itself  deep  in  the  earth.  It  was  thus 
necessary  to  keep  a  watchful  eye  to  the  side  of  the  enemy, 
and  to  labor  in  the  constant  expectation  of  an  iron  mandate 
to  abandon  the  work.  It  went  forward,  however,  with 
the  same  rapidity  and  energy  as  all  the  others  had  done. 
The  fort  was  soon  completed  and  mounted — affording  ano 
ther  proof  of  the  indomitable  spirit  and  ready  skill  of  the 
defenders  of  the  soil.  This  fort  was  known,  at  the  time, 
as  "  Putnam's  impregnable  fortress  ;"  while  that  at  Pros 
pect  Hill,  where  Putnam  held  his  quarters,  is  designated, 
in  the  correspondence  of  the  day,  as  "  our  main  fortress." 
This  post  was  occupied  by  about  one  thousand  men  of  the 
Connecticut  Line — the  remainder  being  at  Roxbury  under 


198  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

General  Ward.  As  soon  as  these  works  were  completed, 
they  opened  their  batteries  upon  the  floating  batteries  of 
the  British  in  Charles  River,  with  such  effect,  as  soon  to 
drive  them  from  their  moorings. 

Not  long  after  the  works  on  Cobble  Hill  were  complet 
ed,  General  Putnam,  wishing  to  give  his  men  some  active 
employment,  of  a  more  stirring  character  than  digging 
trenches,  or  raising  walls  of  earth  and  stone,  sent  out  a 
small  party,  under  Major  Knowlton,  who,  passing  across 
the  mill-dam  into  Charlestown,  attacked  the  advanced 
guard  of  the  British,  near  the  western  base  of  Bunker  Hill. 
They  made  several  prisoners,  set  fire  to  the  guard-house, 
and  retired  without  receiving  any  injury  to  life  or  limb. 

This  was  on  the  8th  of  January,  1776.  The  detach 
ment  marched  between  eight  and  nine  o'clock  in  the  even 
ing.  While  engaged  in  executing  its  work,  it  was  saluted 
by  a  brisk  fire  from  the  British  garrison  on  the  hill  above. 
Those  only,  who  are  acquainted  with  the  situation  of  Bun 
ker  Hill,  and  the  places  adjacent,  at  the  time  of  this  expe 
dition,  can  fully  appreciate  the  danger  and  delicacy  of  the 
task,  so  handsomely  executed  by  Knowlton,  and  his  brave 
associates.  They  passed  from  the  main-land  in  Charles- 
town,  over  the  mill-dam  (the  Neck  being  protected  by  the 
garrison),  round  the  base  of  the  hill,  and  directly  under  the 
garrison,  which  crowned  its  summit.  They  set  fire  to 
eight  out  of  fourteen  scattering  houses,  which  were  stand 
ing  in  full  view  of  the  garrison,  secured  six  prisoners, 
and  effected  an  orderly  retreat,  under  the  very  guns  of  the 
enemy's  batteries  which  poured  upon  them  an  unremitted 
but  ineffectual  fire. 

On  the  evening,  when  this  brilliant  sortie  wras  accom 
plished,  the  farce  of  "  The  Blockade  of  Bos' on,"  of  which 
General  Burgoyne  was  the  reputed  author,  was  performed 
for  the  amusement  of  the  British  army.  The  person,  de- 


SCENE      IN      THE      BOSTON      THEATRE.       199 

signed  to  burlesque  General  Washington,  was  dressed  in 
the  most  uncouth  style,  with  a  large  wig  and  a  long  rusty 
sword,  and  attended. by  an  orderly  sergeant,  in  a  coarse 
country  dress,  having  on  his  shoulder  an  old  rusty  gun, 
seven  or  eight  feet  long.  At  the  moment  when  this  figure 
appeared  on  the  stage,  one  of  the  regular  sergeants  came 
running  in,  quite  out  of  breath,  with  alarm  depicted  in  his 
countenance,  and,  throwing  down  his  bayonet,  exclaimed, 
"  The  Yankees  are  attacking  our  works  on  J3  linker  Hill." 
Those  of  the  audience,  who  were  not  familiar  with  the 
plot  of  the  piece,  supposed  that  this  was  only  a  part  of  the 
farce.  But  when  General  Howe,  rising  suddenly  in  his 
place,  called  out,  in  tones  of  earnest  command,  "  Officers, 
to  your  alarm  posts  " — the  play  was  instantly  changed  to 
a  stern  reality,  having  more  resemblance  to  the  fast  ga 
thering  plot  of  some  terrible  tragedy,  than  to  the  laughter- 
provoking  incidents  of  a  broad  farce.  The  theatre  was 
all  confusion  and  dismay — officers  and  soldiers  rushing  this 
way  and  that,  ladies  shrieking  and  fainting,  children 
screaming  with  terror,  and  all  ranks  and  classes,  in  boxes, 
pit  and  stage,  mingling  frantically  together,  as  if  the  thea 
tre  itself  had  been  attacked,  and  delivered  up  to  the  tender 
mercies  of  war. 

The  utmost  industry,  tact,  and  skill  of  the  American 
commander,  and  his  Generals,  were  now  required,  to  in 
crease,  organize  and  discipline  the  army,  and  procure  the 
necessary  supply  of  arms,  ammunition,  and  the  various 
paraphernalia  of  war.  Assembled,  at  a  moment's  warn 
ing,  from  various  quarters,  enlisted  for  various  terms,  unac 
customed  to  subordination  and  restraint,  they  neither  felt 
the  inclination,  nor  realized  the  importance,  of  a  rigid  sub 
jection  to  military  rules.  Never,  perhaps,  in  the  history 
of  the  world,  was  an  army  assembled  in  the  presence  of 
an  enemy,  with  so  little  preparation  to  sustain  a  regular 


200  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

campaign.  Had  that  enemy  been  fully  informed  of  the 
destitution  of  powder,  of  bayonets,  and  of  other  essential 
equipments  in  the  camp,  it  is  altogether  improbable  he 
would  have  remained  quiet  so  long  in  his  narrow  quarters 
in  Boston.  It  was  a  period  of  comparative  inactivity  to 
both  armies,  though  by  no  means  one  of  rest  or  indolence 
to  the  American  officers.  Besides  his  immediate  duties 
in  the  camp,  each  one  exerted  all  the  influence  he  pos 
sessed  with  his  own  colony,  to  procure  the  necessary  sup 
plies  for  the  troops  under  his  command.  It  is  interesting 
to  read  the  voluminous  correspondence  of  the  time.  There 
are  frequent  letters  from  General  Putnam  to  the  Governor 
and  Council  of  Connecticut,  requesting  supplies  of  powder, 
&c.,  and  corresponding  votes  to  meet  the  demand.  One 
of  the  latter,  which,  for  its  considerate  humanity,  is  worthy 
of  particular  mention,  is  a  vote,  passed  on  the  19th  of  July, 
ordering  a  sufficient  number  of  tents  to  supply  General 
Putnam's  regiment,  and  directing  that  they  should  be 
made  "  by  some  of  the  poor  tent-makers  escaped  from  Bos 
ton" 


CHAPTER    XV. 

BOSTON    EVACUATED    BY    THE    BRITISH. 

General  Lee  ordered  to  New  York — Volunteers  raised  in  Connec 
ticut — Washington's  desire  for  an  attack  on  Boston — General 
Thomas  takes  possession  of  the  Heights  of  Dorchester — Lord 
Percy  attempts  to  dislodge  him — A  severe  storm  interrupts  his 
movements— Intended  attack  on  Boston  by  General  Putnam — 
The  council  of  war — Nook's  Hill  fortified — General  Gage  sud 
denly  evacuates  Boston — Putnam  takes  possession— Wooden  sen 
tries  on  Bunker  Hill. 

EARLY  in  January,  1776,  General  Washington  received 
unquestionable  information,  that  an  armament  was  equip 
ping  at  Boston,  to  sail,  under  General  Clinton,  on  a  secret 
expedition.  Many  considerations  induced  him  to  believe, 
that  the  design  of  this  movement  was  to  take  possession 
of  New  York,  and  establish  the  British  Head  Quarters 
there  ;  not  only  as  a  more  commanding  post,  but  as  a  more 
central  theatre  of  operations  against  the  now  united  colo 
nies.  He,  therefore,  ordered  General  Lee  to  repair  imme 
diately  to  that  place,  with  such  volunteers  as  he  could 
assemble  on  his  march,  and  to  make  the  best  arrangements 
for  its  defence  that  circumstances  would  permit.  He  was 
also  instructed  to  disarm  all  disaffected  persons,  of  whom 
there  were  knowrn  to  be  many  in  New  York — and  espe 
cially  on  Long  Island — and  to  collect  the  arms  and  ammu 
nition  in  their  possession,  for  the  use  of  the  continental 
army. 

General  Lee  found  no  difficulty  in   raising  volunteers 
9* 


202  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

among  the  zealous  patriots  of  Connecticut.  At  the  head 
of  twelve  hundred  men,  he  marched  into  New  York,  and 
commenced  his  works  of  defence  in  that  city,  on  Long 
Island,  and  in  the  Highlands.  It  soon  appeared,  however, 
that  General  Clinton's  expedition  was  destined  farther 
south  ;  and  Lee  was  ordered  by  Congress  to  take  com 
mand  of  the  Southern  department  of  the  army. 

Meanwhile,  the  army  and  the  people  were  growing 
restive  under  this  long  season  of  fruitless  inactivity.  They 
were  anxious  to  come  to  another  open  conflict  with  the 
enemy,  and  to  make  a  serious  effort  to  dislodge  him  from 
his  position  in  Boston,  before  he  should  be  rendered  im 
pregnable  by  the  large  reinforcements  which  were  expect 
ed  early  in  the  spring.  Washington  was  as  desirous  of  an 
engagement  as  any  one,  and  was  deterred  from  making  the 
attempt,  only  by  the  want  of  ammunition  and  arms,  suita 
ble  to  contend  with  an  army  so  well  provided  as  the  Bri 
tish.  Congress  had  earnestly  suggested  the  propriety  of 
an  attack,  and  Washington  had  digested  a  plan  of  opera 
tions  ;  but,  on  laying  it  before  a  council  of  war,  it  was 
deemed  altogether  too  hazardous  to  attempt,  in  the  then 
condition  of  the  army. 

Late  in  February,  various  appearances  among  the  Bri 
tish  troops  indicated  an  intention  to  evacuate  Boston  ;  but, 
as  these  appearances  might  be  deceptive,  and  as  the  ice 
now  well  formed  in  Charles  River,  and  a  small  supply  of 
powder  recently  received,  favored  his  designs,  General 
Washington  determined  to  prosecute  vigorously  the  plan 
he  had  formed — to  force  General  Howe  either  to  come  to 
an  action,  or  to  abandon  his  post.  The  regular  conti 
nental  force  now  amounted  to  somewhat  more  than  four 
teen  thousand  men.  In  addition  to  these  troops,  the  com- 
mander-in-chief  called  to  his  aid  about  six  thousand  of  the 
militia  of  Massachusetts.  Thus  reinforced,  he  determined 


DORCHESTER     HEIGHTS      FORTIFIED.       203 

to  take  immediate  possession  of  the  Heights  of  Dorchester 
— now  known  as  South  Boston — and  construct  fortifica 
tions  there,  from  which  he  could  greatly  annoy  the  ships 
in  the  harbor,  and  the  soldiers  in  the  town.  He  was  per 
suaded  that,  by  this  means,  a  general  action  would  be 
brought  on,  as  the  enemy  must  inevitably  attempt  to  drive 
him  from  a  position  so  dangerously  near  to  their  own 
camp.  But  in  case  he  should  fail  in  bringing  on  an  en 
gagement  in  this  manner,  he  determined  to  make  the  forti 
fication  of  the  heights  of  Dorchester  merely  preparatory 
to  seizing  and  fortifying  Nook's  Hill,*  and  the  other  points 
opposite  the  southern  end  of  Boston.  These  eminences 
commanded  entirely  the  harbor,  a  large  part  of  the  town, 
and  the  beach  from  which  the  enemy  must  embark,  in  the 
event  of  a  retreat. 

To  facilitate  the  execution  of  this  plan,  a  heavy  bom 
bardment  of  the  town,  and  the  lines  of  the  enemy,  was 
commenced  from  the  forts,  on  the  night  of  the  second 
of  March,  and  was  repeated  the  two  succeeding  nights. 
On  the  evening  of  the  fourth,  soon  after  the  firing  had 
begun,  a  large  detachment,  under  the  command  of  General 
Thomas,  passed  unperceived  from  Roxbury,  and  took 
possession  of  the  heights  without  any  opposition.  Al 
though  the  ground  was  frozen  to  a  great  depth,  yet  such 
was  their  activity  and  industry  through  the  night,  that  a 
considerable  breast-work  was  thrown  up  by  morning,  so 
as  to  nearly  protect  them  from  the  shot  of  the  enemy. 
When  the  dawning  light  revealed  the  position  and  works 
of  the  Americans,  which  were  magnified  to  the  view  by  a 
hazy  atmosphere,  the  beleaguered  British  were  no  less 
embarrassed  than  astonished  aj;  the  sight.  They  imme 
diately  commenced  an  ineffectual  fire,  which  was  returned 

•  That  point  where  South  Boston  is  connected  with  the  peninsula 
by  a  bridge,  called  the  South  Boston  Bridge. 


204  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

by  those  in  possession  of  the  heights,  while  they  still  con 
tinued,  with  unremitting  labor,  to  strengthen  their  position. 

This  bold  and  successful  movement  of  the  American 
army  left  but  two  alternatives  to  the  choice  of  the  British 
commander.  He  was  compelled  either  to  dislodge  the 
enemy  from  their  new  position,  or  to  abandon  his  own  ; 
and  General  Gage,  as  had  been  foreseen  and  desired  by 
Washington,  determined  on  the  former  alternative.  Lord 
Percy,  with  about  three  thousand  chosen  men,  consisting 
of  parts  of  five  regiments,  and  the  grenadiers  and  light 
infantry,  was  ordered  on  this  service.  The  next  day,  the 
troops  were  embarked  and  fell  down  to  the  castle,  in 
order  to  proceed  up  the  river  to  the  scene  of  action  ;  but 
a  furious  storm  coming  up,  they  were  scattered,  and  pre 
vented  from  prosecuting  their  enterprise  at  this  time. 
Before  they  could  be  again  in  readiness  for  the  attack,  the 
works  had  been  rendered  so  strong,  that  it  was  thought 
unadvisable  to  attempt  to  force  them.  The  evacuation  of 
Boston  followed  as  a  matter  of  necessity. 

In  the  expectation  that  the  flower  of  the  British  troops 
would  be  employed  against  the  Heights  of  Dorchester, 
General  Washington  had  concerted  a  plan  for  availing 
himself  of  that  occasion  to  attack  the  town  of  Boston— lit 
tle  doubting  that  he  should  be  able,  with  so  favorable  a 
disposition  of  his  forces,  to  obtain  complete  possession  of 
the  enemy's  quarters,  if  not  to  achieve  an  absolute  con 
quest  of  their  army.  Four  thousand  chosen  men  were 
held  in  readiness  to  embark,  at  the  mouth  of  Charles  River 
in  Cambridge,  on  a  signal  to  be  given,  if  the  enemy  should 
come  out  in  such  force,  as  to  justify  an  opinion  that  an 
attack  on  them  might  be  made  with  a  good  prospect  of 
success.  They  were  to  embark  in  two  divisions  ;  the 
first  to  be  led  by  Brigadier-General  Sullivan,  the  second 
ly  Brigadier-General  Greene  ;  and  the  whole  to  be  under 


CONTEMPLATED      ATTACK     OX      BOSTON.     205 

the  command  of  Major-General  Putnam.  The  boats  were 
to  be  preceded  by  three  floating  batteries,  which  were  to 
keep  up  a  heavy  fire  on  that  part  of  the  town  where  the 
troops  were  to  land.  It  was  proposed  that  the  first  divi 
sion  should  land  at  the  powder-house,  and  gain  possession 
of  Beacon  Hill  ;  the  second  at  Barton's  Point,  or  a  little 
south  of  it,  and  after  securing  that  post,  to  join  the  other 
division,  and  force  the  enemy's  works  at  the  Neck,  so  as 
to  give  admission  to  the  troops  from  Roxbury. 

If  this  plan  had  succeeded,  the  whole  British  army  in 
Boston  must  have  been  destroyed,  or  taken  prisoners. 
General  Washington  entertained  the  most  sanguine  hopes 
of  its  success,  and  greatly  regretted  the  storm,  which  pre 
vented  the  intended  attack  on  the  Heights  of  Dorchester, 
and,  consequently,  the  residue  of  his  plan,  the  execution 
of  which  was  entirely  dependent  on  that  attack. 

At  the  council  of  war,  in  which  this  plan  of  an  assault 
upon  the  enemy  was  under  discussion,  General  Putnam, 
who  was  always  restless,  and  more  disposed  to  action  than 
to  deliberation,  was  continually  going  to  the  door  and  the 
windows,  to  see  what  was  passing  without.  At  length, 
General  Washington  said  to  him,  with  some  earnestness, 
"  Sit  down,  General  Putnam,  we  must  have  your  advice 
and  counsel  in  this  matter,  where  the  responsibility  of  its 
execution  is  devolved  upon  you."  "  Oh,  my  dear  Gene 
ral,"  he  replied,  "you  may  plan  the  battle  to  suit  yourself, 
and  I  will  fight  it." 

On  the  morning  of  the  17th  of  March,  the  British  dis 
covered  a  new  breast-work,  that  had  been  thrown  up 
during  the  night  on  Nook's  Hill,  which  perfectly  com 
manded  the  Neck,  and  all  the  south  part  of  Boston,  and 
rendered  their  position  there  wholly  untenable.  There 
was  no  longer  safety  in  delay.  By  sunrise  in  the  morning, 
the  king's  troops,  with  those  of  the  Americans  who  were 


206  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

attached  to  the  royal  cause,  began  to  embark  ;  and  before 
ten,  they  were  all  under  sail,  leaving  behind  them,  in  the 
haste  of  their  forced  departure,  a  considerable  quantity  of 
valuable  stores. 

As  soon  as  it  was  reported  in  Cambridge  that  the  enemy 
were  making  preparations ^to  evacuate  Boston,  several 
regiments,  under  the  command  of  General  Putnam,  were 
embarked  in  boats,  and  dropped  down  the  river,  to  watch 
and  take  advantage  of  their  movements.  On  landing  at 
the  mouth  of  the  river,  it  was  ascertained  that  the  fleet 
had  actually  sailed ;  and  a  detachment  was  ordered  to 
take  possession  of  the  town,  which  they  did  by  landing 
on  its  western  shore,  near  Sewall's  Point,  which  formed 
the  southern  limit  of  the  Mill  Pond.  Another  detachment 
marched  in,  at  the  same  time,  over  the  Neck  from  Rox- 
bury.  The  whole  was  under  the  command  of  General 
Putnam  ;  who,  amid  'the  cheering  welcomes  and  hearty 
congratulations  of  the  citizens,  proceeded  to  take  formal 
possession,  in  the  name  of  the  Continental  Congress,  of  all 
the  fortified  posts,  as  well  as  of  the  military  stores,  and 
other  property,  which  had  been  abandoned  by  the  retreat 
ing  foe. 

One  historian  of  the  day  relates,  that  when  the  British 
retreated  from  Bunker's  Hill,  they  left  sentries  standing  in 
effigy,  with  muskets  shouldered,  and  having  the  usual 
appearance  of  being  on  duty.  If  this  were  so,  it  was  a 
harmless  joke,  arid  gave  no  alarm  to  the  Americans  ;  who 
deigned  not  to  waste  their  powder  upon  wooden  images, 
though  clothed  in  the  king's  livery.  Two  men  only  were 
sent  from  the  camp  to  reconnoitre  the  post,  who  entered 
unchallenged,  and  made  signals  for  their  friends  to  follow 
and  take  full  possession. 


CHAF1LK  XVI. 

PUTNAM  IN  COMMAND  AT  NEW  YORK. 

General  Putnam  ordered  to  New  York — His  instructions — His 
Head  Quarters — His  family — Loyalists,  or  Tories  in  New  York — 
Martial  law — Police  of  the  city — Intercourse  with  the  enemy  for 
bidden — Fortified  posts  in  the  vicinity — Washington's  arrival  at 
New  York— Goes  to  meet  Congress  at  Philadelphia— Instructions 
to  General  Putnam — Letter  from  Philadelphia — Fire  ships  ordered 
to  be  built — General  Howe's  arrival  at  Staten  Island — His-  plans 
and  hopes — His  army — Arrival  of  the  British  fleet — Declaration 
of  Independence — Its  reception  by  the  American  army. 

MAJOR-GENERAL  LEE,  during  the  brief  period  of  his  com 
niand  at  New  York,  had  planned  and  laid  out  some  works 
of  defence,  which,  in  his  hasty  departure  for  South  Caro 
lina,  were  left  to  be  prosecuted  by  his  successor.  Believ 
ing  that  this  place  would  be  the  next  point  at  which  the 
enemy  would  aim,  and  deeming  its  preservation  to  be  of 
the  last  importance  to  the  American  cause,  General  Wash- 
inglon,  immediately  after  his  triumphal  entry  into  Boston, 
sent  thithei  a  portion  of  his  troops,  assigning  the  command 
to  Major-General  Putnam — with  instructions  to  carry  for 
ward  as  rapidly  as  possible  the  plan  of  defence,  which  had 
been  projected  by  General  Lee. 

The  following  "  Orders  and  Instructions  "  were  issued 
on  this  occasion. 

"  As  there   are  the  best  reasons    to  believe  that  the 
enemy's  fleet  and  army,  which  left  Nantasket  Road  last 


208  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

Wednesday  evening,  are  bound  to  New  York,  to  endeavor 
to  possess  that  important  post,  and  if  possible  to  secure 
the  communication  by  the  Hudson  River  to  Canada,  it 
must  be  our  care  to  prevent  them  from  accomplishing 
their  designs.  To  that  end  I  have  detached  Brigadier- 
General  Heath,  with  the  whole  body  of  riflemen,  and  five 
battalions  of  the  Continental  army,  by  the  way  of  Nor 
wich  in  Connecticut,  to  New  York.  Six  more  battalions, 
under  General  Sullivan,  march  this  morning  by  the  same 
route,  and  will,  I  hope,  arrive  there  in  eight  or  ten  days 
at  farthest.  The  rest  of  the  army  will  immediately  follow 
in  divisions,  leaving  only  a  convenient  space  between  each 
division  to  prevent  confusion,  and  want  of  accommodation 
on  their  march.  You  will,  no  doubt,  make  the  best  des 
patch  in  getting  to  New  York.  Upon  your  arrival  there, 
you  will  assume  the  command,  and  immediately  proceed 
in  continuing  to  execute  the  plan  proposed  by  Major- 
General  Lee,  for  fortifying  that  city,  and  securing  the 
passes  of  the  East  and  North  Elvers.  If,  upon  consulta 
tion  with  the  Brigadiers-General  and  Engineers,  any  alter 
ation  in  that  plan  is  thought  necessary,  you  are  at  liberty 
to  make  it ;  cautiously  avoiding  to  break  in  too  much 
upon  his  main  design,  unless  where  it  may  be  apparently 
necessary  so  to  do,  and  that  by  the  general  voice  and  opi 
nion  of  the  gentlemen  above-mentioned. 

"  You  will  meet  the  Quarter-Master  General,  Colonel 
Mifflin,  and  Commissary-General,*  at  New  York.  As 
these  are  both  men  of  excellent  talents  in  their  different 
departments,  you  will  do  well  to  give  them  all  the  author 
ity  and  assistance  they  require  ;  and  should  a  council  of 
war  be  necessary,  it  is  my  direction  they  assist  at  it. 

u  Your  long  service  and  experience  will,  better  than  my 
particular  directions  at  this  distance,  point  out  to  you  the 

*  Colonel  Joseph  Trum'buil. 


HEAD-QUARTERS      AT      NEW      YORK.         209 

works  most  proper  to  be  first  raised;  and  your  perseverance , 
activity  and  zeal  will  lead  you,  without  my  recommending  itt 
to  exert  every  nerve  to  disappoint  the  enemy's  designs. 

"  Devoutly  praying  that  the  POWER  which  has  hitherto 
sustained  the  American  arms,  may  continue  to  bless  them 
with  the  divine  protection,  1  bid  you  FAREWELL. 

"  Given  at  Head-Quarters,  in  Cambridge,  this  twenty- 
ninth  of  March,  1776. 

"G.  WASHINGTON." 

Entrusted  with  these  responsibilities,  General  Putnam 
hastened  to  New  York,  where  he  was,  for  some  time,  the 
chief  in  command,  in  the  absence  of  Washington,  and  the 
executive  commander,  during  the  entire  occupancy  of  the 
city.  His  head-quarters  were  at  the  house,  now  occupied 
by  Mr.  Prime,  No.  1  Broadway,  facing  the  Bowling 
Green.  Here  he  established  himself,  with  his  family  about 
him,  receiving  and  entertaining  his  friends,  both  in  the 
army  and  in  the  city,  vuth  great  hospitality,  when  the 
arduous  duties  of  his  station  allowed  him  time  for  such 
indulgence.  During  a  part  of  this  time,  Major  Burr 
served  him  as  aide-de-camp,  and  resided  in  his  family. 
His  son,  Major  Putnam,  and  Major  David  Humphreys, 
who  afterwards  became  his  biographer,  were  also  attached 
to  his  staff. 

As  has  been  already  observed,  there  was  some  diversity 
of  opinion  among  the  Americans,  in  respect  to  the  contest 
which  was  now  going  on.  Some  opposed  the  war  through 
fear  of  the  consequences,  believing  it  impossible,  for  a  ft;w 
weak,  half-united  colonies,  to  resist  the  omnipotence  of 
Great  Britain.  Many  were  loyally  devoted  to  the  king 
and  the  mother-country,  and  felt  a  kind  of  holy  horror  at 
the  thought  of  open  resistance  to  authority.  There  were 
persons  of  this  description  in  all  the  colonies.  There  had 


210  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

been  some  in  New  England.  A  considerable  number  had 
abandoned  their  homes  in  Boston,  and  followed  the  British 
army  in  its  retreat.  But  they  were  much  more  numerous 
in  and  about  New  York,  on  Long  Island,  Staten  Island, 
and  in  New  Jersey.  This  made  the  position  of  the  Ame 
rican  army,  and  the  duty  of  its  commanders,  much  more 
difficult  than  it  would  otherwise  have  been.  They  could 
not  rely  upon  the  support  of  all  those,  for  whose  liberties 
they  were  contending-  Some  of  them  were  secret  ene 
mies,  and  spies  in  the  service  of  the  British  ;  and  not  a 
few  were  associated  in  a  scheme  to  get  possession  of  the 
person  of  the  commander-in-chief,  and  deliver  him  up  to 
the  enemy.  General  Putnam,  and  other  principal  officers, 
were  at  different  times  the  objects  of  similar  plots.  This 
will  account  for  the  frequent  orders  respecting  the  seizure 
of  disaffected  persons,  disarming  the  suspicious,  &c.,  which 
occur  in  the  correspondence  of  Washington  ;  and  the  fre 
quent  allusions  to  other  perplexities,  than  those  which 
were  occasioned  by  the  direct  action  of  the  British  gene 
rals,  and  their  forces. 

The  city  being,  of  necessity,  under  martial  law,  General 
Putnam's  first  object,  on  assuming  the  command,  was  to 
regulate  its  police,  and  put  in  operation  such  precautionary 
measures,  as  would  prevent  disturbance  or  surprise  in  the 
night,  and  enable  him  to  keep  a  stricter  watch  upon  the 
movements  of  spies,  and  disaffected  citizens.  For  this 
end,  after  posting  the  necessary  guards,  he  issue'd  the  fol 
lowing 

O 

"  GENERAL  ORDERS. 

"  Head  Quarters,  New  York,  April  5,  1776. 
"  The  soldiers  are  strictly  enjoined   to  retire   to  their 
barracks   and  quarters   at  tattoo  beating,   and   to  remain 
there  till  the  reveille  is  beaten. 


POLICE      OF      THE      CITY.  211 

"  Necessity  obliges  the  General  to  desire  the  inhabit 
ants  of  the  city  to  observe  the  same  rule,  as  no  person 
will  be  permitted  to  pass  any  sentry,  after  this  night,  with 
out  the  countersign.  The  inhabitants,  whose  business 
requires  it,  may  know  the  countersign,  by  applying  to  any 
of  the  Brigade  Majors." 

Although  the  war  had  raged,  in  some  other  parts  of  the 
country,  with  a  severity  that  cut, off  all  voluntary  inter 
course  between  the  British  and  Americans,  there  had,  as 
yet,  been  no  outbreaking  of  hostilities  at  New  York,  beyond 
the  firing  of  a  few  guns  from  one  armed  vessel  upon  the 
city  ;  which,  however,  was  attended  with  no  material 
damage.  Consequently,  the  intercourse  between  the  Bri 
tish  vessels  and  the  shore  was  not  wholly  interrupted. 
Through  the  favor  of  the  loyalists,  or  the  connivance  of 
those  whose  avarice  was  stronger  than  their  patriotism, 
the  commanders  had  hitherto  found  means  to  secure  ample 
supplies  of  fresh  water  and  provisions.  General  Putnam 
resolved  to  put  an  effectual  stop  to  all  such  commerce  at 
once,  and,  accordingly,  issued  a  prohibition  in  the  follow 
ing  very  pointed  terms. 

"  PROHIBITION. 

"  Head  Quarters,  New  York,  April  8,  1776. 
"  The  General  informs  the  inhabitants,  that  it  i-s  become 
absolutely  necessary  that  all  communication  between  the 
ministerial  fleet  and  the  shore  should  be  immediately  stop 
ped  ;  for  that  purpose  he  has  given  positive  orders  that 
the  ships  should  no  longer  be  furnished  with  provisions. 
Any  inhabitants,  or  others,  who  shall  be  taken,  that  have 
been  on  board  (after  the  publishing  this  order),  or  near 
any  of  the  ships,  or  going  on  board,  will  be  considered  as 
enemies,  and  treated  accordingly 


212  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

"  All  boats  are  to  sail  from  Beekman  slip.  Captain 
James  Alner  is  appointed  inspector,  and  will  give  permits 
to  oystermen.  It  is  ordered  and  expected  that  none 
attempt  going  without  a  pass. 

«  ISRAEL  PUTNAM, 

"  Major-General  in   the   Continental  Army,  and  Com- 
mander-in-chiaf  of  the  Forces  in  New  York." 

In  the  expectation  of  the  arrival  of  the  British  fleet,  and 
with  a  view  to  protect  the  harbor  and  city,  and  prevent 
the  passage  of  vessels  up  the  North  River,  a  detachment 
of  one  thousand  continentals  was  sent  to  occupy  Gover 
nor's  Island,  and  put  it  in  a  state  of  defence.  A  regiment 
was  also  detached  to  fortify  Red  Hook,  so  as  to  command 
the  entrance  by  Buttermilk  Channel.  Several  companies 
were  advantageously  posted  on  the  Jersey  shore,  and  for 
tifications  were  commenced,  and  carried  forward  with 
great  activity,  at  every  available  point.  The  most  active 
measures  were  taken  to  break  up  all  attempts,  on  the  part 
of  the  enemy,  to  hold  any  kind  of  intercourse  with  the 
shore.  The  Americans  had  nothing  that  could  be  called 
a  navy,  at  this  time,  nor  any  vessels  capable  of  maintaining 
a  conflict  with  the  British  artned  cruisers.  They  could, 
therefore,  with  perfect  impunity,  remain  on  the  coast,  and 
hover  about  the  harbors,  as  they  pleased.  Two  of  them, 
lying  at  the  Narrows,  sent  their  boats  to  the  watering- 
place  on  Staten  Island  to  procure  a  fresh  supply.  By  the 
vigilance  and  activity  of  General  Putnam,  one  was  driven 
off  with  the  loss  of  two  or  three  men,  and  the  other,  with 
her  crew,  amounting  to  thirteen,  was  captured.  Soon 
after  this,  finding  that  no  good  purpose  could  be  accom 
plished  by  remaining  at  a  post  that  was  so  vigilantly 
guarded  at  all  points,  and  not  being  sufficiently  strong  to 
attempt  offensive  operations,  the  ships  withdrew  from  the 


HIS      CORRESPONDENCE.  213 

harbor,  and  put  to  sei,  awaiting  the  arrival  of  the  fleet., 
with  reinforcements  for  the  army,  then  in  repose  at  Hali 
fax. 

Besides  the  correspondence  which  he  maintained  with 
the  Commander-in-chief  at  this  time,  General  Putnam  held 
free  communication,  by  letter  and  personally,  with  the 
New  York  Committee  of  Safety,  on  all  the  questions  of 
public  interest  requiring  their  attention.  At  one  time,  we 
find  him  calling  urgently  for  the  levies,  which  were  need 
ed  for  the  construction  and  defence  of  his  works  (Am. 
Arch.,  vol.  vi  ,  page  1164),  and  at  another  making  pro 
vision  for  guarding  the  City  Records,  and  other  public 
property  (page  1432).  Nothing  that  could  in  any  way 
subserve  the  public  good,  was  too  minute  for  his  vigilance  , 
nothing  too  difficult  for  his  industry  and  zeal. 

In  his  correspondence  with  Congress,  he  shows  the 
enlarged  views  he  entertained  of  the  measures  to  be  adopt 
ed,  and  the  boldness  and  confidence  with  which  he  enter 
ed  upon  the  execution  of  his  important  trust ;  while  the 
replies  of  the  President  of  that  body  indicate  an  entire 
reliance  on  the  patriotism,  skill,  judgment,  and  integrity 
of  the  General.  Lar^e  sums  of  money  are  demanded  on 
the  one  part,  and  remitted  on  the  other,  with  the  same 
tone  of  lofty  courtesy,  and  mutual  esteem  and  confidence, 
that  characterized  the  correspondence  with  the  Com 
mander-in-chief.  The  following  extract  from  the  first 
letter  to  Congress,  written  the  third  day  after  his  arrival 
at  New  York,  furnishes  some  of  the  details  of  the  capture 
of  the  boat's  crew  on  Staten  Island. 

"  Head  Quarters,  New  York,  April  7,  1776. 
"  SIR  :— 

"  I  arrived  here  on  Wednesday  evening  last,  having  his 
Excellency  General  Washington's    orders  to  take  com- 


214  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

mand  of  the  forces  in  this  city,  and  to  erect  such  works  as 
I  should  think  necessary  for  its  defence  ;  in  which  we  are 
busily  employed. 

"  After  getting' the  works  in  such  forwardness,  as  will 
be  prudent  to  leave,  I  propose  immediately  to  take  pos 
session  of  Governor's  Island,  which  I  think  a  very  impor 
tant  post.  Should  the  enemy  arrive  here,  and  get  post 
there,  it  will  not  be  possible  to  save  the  city,  nor  can  we 
dislodge  them  without  great  loss.  *  *  * 

u  On  Friday,  arrived  at  the  Narrows  a  small  ship  of 
eighteen  or  twenty  guns* — sent  her  boat  immediately  on 
board  the  Duchess  of  Gordon  ;  soon  after  which  the  Go 
vernor  in  the  '  Duchess  '  sailed — where  bound  we  know 
not. 

"  This  morning  the  ship  sent  a  boat -to  the  watering 
place  for  water.  The  day  before,  I  had  detached  three 
companies  of  the  Rifle  Battalion  to  Staten  Island,  with 
orders  to  scour  the  shores.  A  midshipman  and  twelve 
sailors  were  in  the  boat.  She  was  fired  upon,  and  lost 
two  men.  The  Riflemen  took  the  rest  prisoners,  and 
hauled  up  the  boat.  The  ship  immediately  began  a 
heavy  fire,  and  slightly  wounded  one  man.  She  has  since 
fallen  down  below  the  Narrows. 

"  I  am,  &c  , 

"ISRAEL   PUTNAM. 
"  To  the  Honorable  John  Hancock,  President  of  Congress." 

On  the  arrival  of  General  Washington  at  New  York, 
which  took  place  on  the  13th  of  April,  the  same  measures 

*  The  ship  here  mentioned  was  the  Savage.  The  account  of  the 
attack  upon  her  boat,  and  the  taking  of  the  prisoners,  may  be  found 
in  a  very  spirited  letter  from  Captain  Stephenson  to  General  Put 
nam,  dated  April  8th,  in  which  he  also  speaks  of  making  sundry 
arrests  of  persons,  concerned  in  sending  provisions,  or  giving  infor 
mation,  to  the  enemy.  Am.  Archives,  vol.  iv.,  psgc  820. 


ARRIVAL      OF      GEN.      WASHINGTON.         215 

were  vigorously  pursued  for  strengthening  his  position 
there,  and  endeavoring  to  render  the  passes  of  the  Hudson 
and  the  East  River  inaccessible  to  the  enemy's  ships. 
Other  measures  were  also  concerted,  for  the  same  end, 
and  put  in  execution  with  the  utmost  spirit  and  despatch. 
Hulks  were  sunk  in  the  channel,  to  obstruct  the  navigation 
of  the  river.  The  most  advantageous  positions,  not  already 
occupied,  on  both  sides  of  the  North  River,  and  of  the 
narrow  passages  between  the  islands,  were  taken  and  for 
tified,  as  far  as  the  limited  means  at  the  command  of 
Washington  rendered  possible.  Of  all  these  works,  Gene 
ral  Putnam  had  still  the  chief  superintendence  and  direc 
tion.  The  defences  were  well  placed,  and  constructed 
with  a  skill  and  science  that  was  highly  honorable  to  the 
officers  and  engineers  who  planned  and  superintended 
them.  But  they  \vere  too  feebly  mounted,  and  too  scan 
tily  supplied  with  munitions  of  war,  as  the  sequel  proved, 
to  answer  the  principal  purpose  for  which  they  were 
designed.  In  all  the  early  operations  of  the  continental 
army,  the  want  of  heavy  cannon  was  most  sensibly  felt. 

The  Commander-in-chief,  having  inspected  the  works 
in  progress,  and  carefully  examined  the  condition  and  dis 
cipline  of  the  army,  availed  himself  of  the  first  public 
orders,  issued  in  his  own  name,  to  compliment  the  officers 
who  had  successively  commanded  New  York,  for  their 
capacity  and  diligence  ;  and  to  return  his  thanks  to  them, 
as  well  as  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  under  their  com 
mand,  for  the  many  works  of  defence  which  had  been  so 
expeditiously  erected,  and  for  others  so  well  and  courage 
ously  begun.  At  the  same  Jjrne.  he  expressed  his  confi 
dence,  that  the  same  zeal  and  spirit  would  continue  to 
animate  them  in  their  future  conduct. 

On  the  21st  of  May,  at  the  urgent  request  of  Congress, 
General  Washington  proceeded  ^Philadelphia,  to  confer 


216  LIFE     OP     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

with  that  body — -remaining  absent  until  the  seventh  of 
June.  During  this  interval,  General  Putnam  was  again 
invested  with  the  supreme  command  at  New  York,  with 
directions  to  open  all  letters  addressed  to  General  Wash 
ington  on  public  business,  and  regulate  his  conduct  by 
their  contents  ;  to  carry  on  with  spirit  the  works  of  de 
fence  ;  to  establish  signals  for  communicating  an  alarm,  on 
the  appearance  of  the  enemy  ;  and  to  make  arrangements 
to  put  the  posts  in  the  Highlands  into  a  proper  condition 
of  defence.  The  following  letter,  taken  in  connection 
with  the  statements  given  above,  of  the  arduous  duties 
required  of  him,  will  serve  to  show  that  the  life  of  a  vigi 
lant  officer,  in  active  service,  is  not  a  life  of  idleness 

"  To  MAJOR-GENERAL  PUTNAM. 
u  Instructions. 

"  SIR  : — I  have  reason  to  believe,  that  the  Provincial 
Congress  of  this  colony,  have  in  contemplation  a  scheme 
for  seizing  the  principal  tories,  and  disaffected  persons  on 
Long  Island,  in  this  city,  and  the  country  round  about ; 
and  that,  to  carry  the  scheme  intu  operation,  they  will 
have  recourse  to  the  military  power  for  assistance.  If 
this  should  be  the  case,  you  are  hereby  required,  during 
my  absence,  to  afford  every  aid,  which  the  said  Congress, 
or  their  committee,  shall  apply  for.  I  need  not  recom 
mend  secresy  to  you,  as  the  success,  you  must  be  assured, 
will  depend  absolutely  upon  precaution,  and  the  despatch 
with  which  the  measure,  when  once  adopted,  shall  be 
executed. 

"  General  Greene  will,  though  not  in  person  perhaps, 
have  a  principal  share  in  ordering  the  detachments  from 
his  brigade  on  Long  Island  ;  of  course  he  will  be  a  proper 
person  to  be  let  into  the  whole  plan.  I  would,  therefore, 
when  application  is  made  by  Congress,  have  you  and  him 


TREATMENT     OF     THE     DISAFFECTED.       217 

concert  measures  with  such  gentlemen  as  that  body  shall 
please  to  appoint,  and  order  the  execution  with  as  much 
secresy  and  despatch  as  possible,  and  at  the  same  time, 
with  the  utmost  decency  and  good  order. 

11  Given  under  my  hand,  at  Head-Quarters,  in  the  city 
of  New  York,  this  21st  day  of  May,  1776," 

The  machinations  of  disaffected  persons,  or  Tories,  as 
they  began  to  be  universally  called,  in  the  lower  counties 
of  New  York,  had,  for  some  time,  excited  serious  appre 
hensions  as  to  their  effect  on  the  army,  and  particularly 
when  the  British  fleet  should  arrive  on  the  coast.  Gover 
nor  Tryon  was  at  their  head.  His  influence  in  the  colon}' 
was  great,  and  justly  feared.  The  Mayor  of  the  city  was 
deeply  involved,  being  the  principal  agent  of  communica 
tion  between  Tryon  and  the  main  body  of  Tories.  The 
disaffection  had  even  been  communicated  to  the  army,  and 
a  part  of  Washington's  Guard  had  engaged  in  it.  The 
Provincial  Congress,  in  the  measures  which  were  concert 
ed  between  their  committee  and  General  Washington,  laid 
themselves  under  an  oath  of  secresy.  It  was  then  report 
ed  to  them  that  a  scheme  of  junction  was  forming,  between 
the  Tories  in  Connecticut  and  those  on  Long  Island,  in 
order  to  join  the  ministerial  army,  and  oppress  the  friends 
of  liberty  in  the  colonies.  The  result  of  their  action, 
under  the  spirited  co-operation  of  the  Commander,  was, 
that  a  considerable  number  of  disaffected  persons  were 
seized,  and  put  in  confinement;  and  one,  named  Thomas 
Hicks,  a  member  of  Washington's  Guard,  who  had  enlist 
ed  himself,  and  induced  others  to  do  the  same,  was  tried 
by  a  court-martial,  and  executed,  on  the  28th  of  June,  for 
mutiny,  sedition,  and  treachery. 

The  following  letter  from  General  Washington,  dated 
Philadelphia,  June  3,  1776,  will  serve  to  introduce  ano- 
10 


218  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

ther  department  of  duty,  to  which  General  Putnam's  atten 
tion  was  urgently  directed,  and  to  which  he  devoted  a 
great  deal  of  thought  and  care. 

"  DEAR  SIR  : — I  received  your  favor  by  yesterday  even 
ing's  express,  with  the  several  letters  and  intelligence  from 
General  Schuyler,  and  am  much  concerned  for  the  further 
misfortunes  that  have  attended  our  arms  in  Canada.  I 
have  laid  the  whole  before  Congress,  who  had  before 
resolved  to  send  a  considerable  augmentation  to  our  army 
there  ;  and  I  doubt  not  that  General  Schuyler  may  receive 
assistance  from  the  militia  most  convenient  to  him,  for 
securing  the  different  passes  and  communications,  till  they 
can  be  relieved.  As  to  sending  a  reinforcement  from  New 
York,  neither  policy  nor  prudence  will  justify  it,  as  we 
have  the  strongest  reasons  to  believe  the  day  not  far  dis 
tant,  when  a  large  armament  will  arrive,  and  vigorously 
attempt  an  impression  there  ;  to  oppose  which,  the  forces 
we  have,  will  not  be  more  than  equal,  if  sufficient. 

"  Congress  have  determined  on  sundry  gondolas,  and  fire- 
rafts,  to  prevent  the  men-of-war,  and  enemy's  ships,  from 
comincr  into  New  York  or  the  Narrows.  I  must,  there- 

O  i 

fore,  request,  that  you  will  make  inquiries  after  carpenters, 
and  procure  all  you  can,  with  materials  necessary  for 
building  them,  that  tney  may  go  on  with  all  possible  ex 
pedition,  as  soon  as  the  person  arrives  from  hence,  whom  J 
have  employed  to  superintend  the  work.  He  will  be  there 
in  a  day  or  two. 

"  I  am,  dear  Sir,  SLC., 

"  GEO.  WASHINGTON." 

On  evacuating  Boston,  General  Howe  had  retired  to 
Halifax.  His  purpose  seems  to  have  I  een  to  wait  there 
for  the  large  reinforcements  expected  from  England,  and 


GEN.    HOWE'S    ARRIVAL     AT     NEW     YORK.       219 

not  to  approach  his  adversary,  till  he  possessed  a  force 
sufficiently  large  to  act  on  the  offensive,  and  with  such 
success  as  would  make  a  very  serious  impression.  The 
situation  of  his  army  was  very  uncomfortable,  however, 
and  the  delay  of  the  arrival  of  the  troops  from  England  so 
great,  that  he  determined  to  proceed  at  once  to  New 
York,  with  such'  forces  as  were  under  his  command — « 
knowing  that  he  could  take  a  station  of  perfect  security 
in  one  of  the  islands  on  its  seaboard,  and  there  \vait,  until 
he  should  be  strong  enough  to  commence  his  intended 
plan  of  operations. 

In  the  latter  part  of  June,  he  arrived  off  Sandy  Hook, 
in  the  Greyhound,  and  on  the  twenty-ninth  of  the  same 
month,  the  first  division  of  the  fleet  from  Halifax  reached 
the  same  place.  The  rear  division  arrived  soon  after,  and 
landed  the  troops  on  State. n  Island,  where  there  was  no 
military  force,  with  the  exception  of  a  small  number  of 
men  sent  to  drive  off  such  cattle  as  might  supply  the 
enemy  \vith  fresh  provisions. 

The  people  of  this  island,  as  well  as  those  of  Long 
Island,  and  the  neighboring  parts  of  New  Jersey,  express 
ed  a  favorable  disposition  towards  the  royal  cause.  Gene 
ral  Howe,  therefore,  chose  Staten  Island  as  his  station, 
until  the  arrival  of  the  expected  troops.  General  Wash 
ington,  foreseeing  the  distress  which  would  be  occasioned 
by  cutting  off  the  supply  of  fresh  provisions,  had  urged 
the  removal  of  the  stock  and  grain  in  the  small  islands 
near  the  coast ;  but  this,  owing  to  the  large  extent  of  the 
coast,  and  the  necessity  of  keeping  every  effective  hand  at 
work  upon  the  fortifications,  had  been  only  partially 
attended  to,  and  Howe  wras  in  a  measure  supplied  with 
what  he  wanted. 

The  opposition  which  the  British  troops  had  encoun 
tered  in  New  England,  had  given  rather  a  serious  com-* 


220  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

plexion  to  the  war,  and  proved  to  the  British  Ministry 
the  necessity  of  employing  a  much  larger  force,  than  had 
at  first  been  thought  sufficient,  for  the  suppression  of  the 
rebellion.  In  addition,  therefore,  to  the  national  troops, 
they  employed  about  thirteen  thousand  Hessians  and  Wai- 
deckers. 

As  had  been  foreseen  by  General  Washington,  the  great 
effort  was  now  to  be  made  on  the  Hudson.  A  variety  of 
considerations  suggested  the  policy  of  transferring  the 
seat  of  war  to  this  part  of  the  continent.  The  country 
on  the  sea-board  being  divided  into  islands,  is  assailable  in 
every  direction  by  a  maritime  force,  and,  accordingly, 
requires  for  defence  against  a  conjoint  attack  by  land  and 
water,  not  only  complete  fortifications,  but  also  a  very 
large  and  powerful  army.  The  very  same  causes,  which 
render  this  part  of  the  United  States  so  vulnerable  to  an 
invading  enemy  commanding  the  sea,  secure  that  enemy 
in  the  possession  of  it,  after  it  has  been  acquired.  A  naval 
superiority  will,  consequently,  be  nearly  always  necessary, 
to  drive  even  an  inferior  enemy  from  this  post. 

From  this  position,  he  could  either  carry  the  war  east- 
wardly  into  New  England,  northwardly  into  the  State  of 
New  York,  or  westwardly  into  the  Jerseys  and  Pennsyl 
vania  ;  or,  if  too  weak  to  do  either,  he  could  retire  into  a 
place  of  security,  and  harass  the  enemy  in  his  neighbor 
hood,  or  carry  on  expeditions  against  distant  parts  of  the 
continent.  In  fact,  it  left  him  at  entire  liberty  to  choose 
the  scene  of  action,  and  the  kind  of  operations  by  which 
to  annoy  his  enemy.  If  he  should  get  possession  of  the 
Hudson,  he  would  also  be  enabled  to  open  a  direct  com 
munication  with  Canada,  and  have  it  in  his  power  to  inter 
rupt  the  intercourse  between  the  eastern  and  southern 
states  In  addition  to  all  this,  he  would  cover  his  friends, 


DECLARATION  OF  INDEPENDENCE.   22 1 

who  in  turn  would  supply  him  with  all  those  necessaries 
he  had  so  much  wanted  in  his  old  station. 

The  command  of  the  fleet  was  given  to  Lord  Howe, 
brother  of  General  Howe  ;  and  they  were  both  constitut 
ed  commissioners  for  restoring  peace  to  the  colonies  and 
granting  pardons.  Lord  Howe  arrived  at  Halifax  a  short 
time  after  his  brother's  departure,  and  reached  Staten 
Island  about  the  12th  of  July. 

In  the  meantime,  the  great  decisive  measure,  which 
fixed  the  character  of  this  conflict,  and  elevated  a  rebellion 
into  a  Revolution,  had  been  adopted,  and  made  public,  by 
the  Congress  of  the  United  States.  The  Declaration  of 
Independence,  the  Magna  Charta  of  American  liberty,  had 
received  the  signatures  of  the  immortal  fifty-six.  It  was 
immediately  transmitted,  by  President  Hancock,  to  the 
Commander-in-chief,  with  a  request  to  have  it  suitably 
proclaimed  at  the  head  of  the  army.  The  following  order 
was  accordingly  issued  : 

"  The  Continental  Congress,  impelled  by  the  dictates  of 
duty,  policy,  and  necessity,  have  been  pleased  to  dissolve 
the  connection  which  subsisted  between  this  country  and 
Great  Britain,  and  to  declare  the  United  Colonies  of  North 
America  Free  and  Independent  States.  The  several  bri 
gades  are  to  be  drawn  up  this  evening  on  their  respective 
parades,  at  six  o'clock,  when  the  Declaration  of  Congress, 
showing  the  grounds  and  reasons  of  this  measure,  is  to  be 
read  with  an  audible  voice.  The  General  hopes,  that  this 
important  event  will  serve  as  a  fresh  incentive  to  every 
officer  and  soldier,  to  act  with  fidelity  and  courage,  as 
knowing  that  now  the  peace  and  safety  of  his  country 
depend,  under  God,  solely  on  the  success  of  our  arms  ; 
and  that  he  is  now  in  the  service  of  a  state  possessed  of 
sufficient  power  to  reward  his  merit,  and  advance  him  to 
the  highest  honors  of  a  free  country." 


222  LIFE      OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

This  Declaration  was  received  by  the  army  with  the 
highest  satisfaction  and  enthusiasm  ;  the  expressions  and 
behavior,  both  of  officers  and  men,  testifying  their  warm 
est  approbation  of  the  measure,  and  their  determination  to 
sustain  and  defend  it,  to  the  last  drop  of  their  blood. 


CHAPTER    XVII.  j 

THE  BRI1ISH   FLEET  AND  ARMY   AT  STATEN  ISLAND. 
PUTNAM'S  CONTRIVANCES  TO  ANNOY  THEM. 

Comparative  force  of  the  English  and  Americans — Two  frigates  pass 
up  the  North  River— Confined  to  Tappan  Sea — Coniiict  with  the 
American  galleys — CJic-canx-de-frise — Described  by  General  Put 
nam — Its  ill  success — The  fire-ships  alike  unsuccessful — Bushnell's 
American  Turtle — The  expedition  of  Abijah  Shipman. 

THE  arrival  of  Admiral  Howe  with  his  fleet  at  New  York, 
and  the  return  of  General  Clinton  from  the  south,  which 
took  place  about  the  same  time,  placed  at  the  command 
of  General  Howe,  an  army  of  twenty-four  thousand  men, 
composed  of  the  best  troops  of  Europe,  and  officered  by 
men  of  tried  courage  and  experience.  A  further  rein 
forcement  of  eleven  thousand  was  instantly  expected, 
which  would  swell  their  numbers  to  thirty-five  thousand. 
It  was  the  design  of  the  British  to  seize.  New  York,  with 
a  force  sufficient  to  keep  possession  of  the  Hudson  River 
— open  a  communication  with  Canada — separate  the  East 
ern  States,  where  the  rebellion  began,  from  the  Middle 
and  Southern,  where  there  was  still  a  strong  leaven  of 
loyalty  to  work  upon — and  overrun  the  adjacent  country 
at  pleasure. 

To  oppose  this  large,  highly  disciplined,  and  well-ap 
pointed  force,  the  Americans  had,  in  this  vicinity,  an  army 
of  seventeen  thousand  troops,  of  whom  little  over  ten 
thousand  were  deemed  effective,  and  fit  for  duty — poorly 


224  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

provided  with  arms — without  treasure,  and  almost  without 
ammunition.  Ten  thousand  more  were  expected,  who 
reached  the  camp  about  the  first  of  August.  The  result, 
defying  all  human  calculations,  is  one  of  those  remarkable 
events,  in  which  the  working  of  an  Almighty  providence 
is  manifest  to  every  eye,  causing  justice  and  truth  to  pre 
vail,  in  the  unequal  contest  with  power. 

Immediately  on  the  arrival  of  the  British  fleet,  an 
attempt  was  made  to  force  the  passage  of  the  North 
River,  and  try  the  force  of  the  American  batteries.  Avail 
ing  themselves  of  the  combined  aid  of  the  flood  tide,  and 
a  brisk  south  wind,  the  Phosnix  of  forty  guns,  and  the 
Rose  of  twenty,  accompanied  by  three  tenders,  ran  boldly 
up,  and  passed  the  batteries,  without  sustaining  any  mate 
rial  damage  from  the  heavy  and  incessant  cannonade,  which 
saluted  them  from  both  sides  as  they  passed.  Their  decks 
were  guarded  with  ramparts  of  sand-bags,  which  served  to 
protect  the  men  from  the  small  shot,  and  their  motion  was 
so  rapid,  that  they  remained  but  a  short  time  within  the 
range  of  the  heavy  guns.  They  ascended  to  the  broad 
part  of  the  river,  called  Tappan  Sea,  about  forty  miles 
from  New  York,  where  they  could  cast  anchor  so  far  from 
the  shore  on  either  side,  as  to  be  out  of  danger  from  the 
American  guns.  Their  object  was,  to  obstruct  the  sup 
plies  which  came  down  the  river  to  New  York,  and  to 
cut  off  the  communication  between  Washington  and  the 
army  on  the  Lakes.  They  frequently  attempted  to  land 
with  their  boats,  but  were  driven  back  by  the  militia  of 
the  neighborhood,  on  both  sides  of  the  river  ;  who  watch 
ed  their  motions  so  narrowly,  that  for  several  weeks  they 
were  unable  to  hold  any  direct  intercourse  with  the  fleet, 
though,  by  means  of  their  Tory  friends  on  shore,  they  had 
contrived  to  make  known  to  the  Admiral  their  safe  arrival 
at  their  point  of  destination.  It  was  probably  a  part  of 


PLANS   TO   ANNOY   THE   ENEMY.     225 

their  design  to  supply  the  Tories  with  arms,  and  otherwise 
encourage  and  assist  them  in  their  disaffection.  But  in 
this  they  were  completely  foiled,  by  the  vigilance  and 
activity  of  the  New  York  patriots,  who,  with  General 
George  Clinton  at  their  head,  guarded  every  point  with 
so  watchful  an  eye,  that  they  could  make  no  signal  for 
the  shore  that  was  not  intercepted. 

Several  methods  were  adopted  to  drive  the  enemy  from 
this  position,  and  to  annoy  and  weaken  his  naval  force,  as 
well  as  to  prevent  further  advances  of  the  same  kind.  A 
considerable  number  of  galleys,  hastily  provided  in  New 
York,  and  placed  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Tupper, 
came  to  an  engagement  with  the  Phoenix  and  the  Rose,  in 
the  North  River.  General  Washington,  referring  to  it,  in 
his  despatch  to  Congress,  under  date  of  the  5th  of  August, 
says  :  "  What  injury  was  done  to  the  ships,  I  cannot 
ascertain.  All  accounts  agree,  that  our  officers  and  men, 
during  the  whole  affair,  behaved  with  great  spirit  and 
bravery.  The  damage  done  to  the  galleys,  shows,  beyond 
question,  that  they  had  a  warm  time  of  it.  The  ships  still 
remain  up  the  river,  and,  before  anything  further  can  be 
attempted  against  them,  the  galleys  must  be  repaired." 

He  then  refers  to  another  plan  which  \vas  in  pro 
gress  of  execution,  to  prevent  the  other  ships  from  pro 
ceeding  up  the  river.  "  The  hulks,  and  three  chevaux- 
de-frise,  that  have  been  preparing  to  obstruct  the  channel, 
have  got  up  to  the  place  they  are  intended  for,  and  will  be 
sunk  as  soon  as  possible."  The  mode  of  constructing  the 
chevaux-de-frise*  was  a  contrivance  of  General  Putnam's. 
It  is  thus  described,  in  a  letter  from  him  to  General  Gates, 
dated  July  26th. 

"  The  enemy's  fleet  now  lies  in  the  bay  very  safe,  close 
under  Staten  Island.  Their  troops  possess  no  land  here 
but  the  island.  Is  it  not  strange,  that  those  invincible 
10* 


C26  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

troops,  who  were  to  destroy  and  lay  waste  all  this  country 
with  their  fleets  and  army,  are  so  fond  of  islands  and  pen 
insulas,  and  dare  not  put  their  feet  on  the  main  ?  But  I 
hope,  by  the  blessing  of  God  and  good-  friends,  we  shall 
pay  them  a  visit  on  their  island.  For  that  end,  we  are 
preparing  fourteen  fire-ships  to  go  into  their  fleet,  some  of 
which  are  ready  charged  and  fitted  to  sail,  and  I  hope  soon 
to  have  them  all  fixed.  We  are  preparing  chevaux-dc- 
frise,  at  which  we  make  great  despatch  by  the  help  of 
ships,  which  are  to  be  sunk — a  scheme  of  mine,  which, 
you  may  be  assured,  is  very  simple  ;  a  plan  of  which  I 
send  you.  The  two  ships'  sterns  lie  towards  each  other, 
about  seventy  feet  apart.  Three  large  logs,  which  reach 
from  ship  to  ship,  are  fastened  to  them.  The  two  ships 
and  logs  stop  the  river  two  hundred  and  eighty  feet.  The 
ships  are  to  be  sunk,  and,  when  hauled  down  on  one  side, 
the  pricks  will  be  raised  to  a  proper  height,  and  they 
must  inevitably  stop  the  river,  if  the  enemy  will  let  us 
sink  them." 

This  chevaux-de-frise  was  sunk  just  above  the  entrance 
of  the  Palisades,  stretching  from  JtfFery's  Hook,  at  Fort 
Washington,  to  the  northernmost  redoubt  at  Fort  Lee. 
But,  though  much  relied  on,  it  proved  insufficient  for  the 
purpose  for  which  it  was  designed.  The  rapid  current, 
changing  with  every  turn  of  the  tide,  and  continually 
wrenching  the  work,  so  weakened  it,  that  it  gave  way 
before  the  weight,  and  momentum  of  the  heavy  armed 
ships,  and  left  them  a  free  course  as  before. 

The  fire-ships,  before  referred  to,  were  scarcely  more 
successful.  Two  of  them  were  sent  up,  on  the  16th  of 
August,  to  operate  against  the  Phcenix  and  Rose,  in  Tap- 
pan  Sea.  One  of  them  boarded  the  Phoenix,  and  was 
grappled  with  her  for  some  minutes,  but  she  succeeded  in 
clearing  herself.  The  only  damage  the  enemy  sustained, 


BUSH  NELL'S    AMERICAN    TURTLE.      227 

was  the  destruction  of  one  of  the  tenders.  The  men  en 
gaged  in  this  affair,  behaved  with  great  resolution  and  intre 
pidity.  Though  the  enterprise  did  not  succeed  according 
to  the  wishes  of  those  who  directed  it,  it  so  alarmed  the 
enemy,  as  to  compel  him  to  abandon  his  position.  The 
second  day  after  this  attempt,  both  ships,  with  their  re 
maining  tenders,  took  advantage  of  a  favorable  gale  and 
tide,  to  run  down  the  river,  and  rejoin  the  fleet  at  the  Nar 
rows.  They  were  handsomely  saluted  by  the  batteries,  as 
they  passed,  and  not  without  effect,  though  they  did  not 
suffer  any  material  loss  or  damage. 

Among  the  Connecticut  troops,  was  an  officer,  named 
Bushnell ;  a  man  of  education,  of  some  what  eccentric  habits, 
but  of  a  strong  mechanical  turn  of  mind.  While  at  col 
lege,  he  had  prepared  a  model  of  a  submarine  explosive 
machine,  or  torpedo,  of  a  very  ingenious  construction.  He- 
gave  it  the  name  of  "  The  American  Turtle."  The  report 
of  this  contrivance  coming  to  the  ears  of  General  Putnam, 
he  sent  Major  Burr,  his  aide-de-camp,  to  invite  Bushnell 
to  come  and  see  him.  After  a  little  conversation,  the 
model  was  sent  for,  examined,  explained,  and  highly  ap 
proved  ;  and  Bushnell  was  immediately  furnished  with 
the  necessary  funds  to  construct  a  full  machine,  and  put  it 
in  operation. 

In  the  course  often  days  it  was  completed.  Outwardly 
it  bore  some  resemblance  to  a  large  sea-turtle.  Hence, 
the  origin  of  its  name.  In  the  head  there  was  an  opening, 
sufficiently  large  to  admit  a  man.  This  apartment  was 
air-tight,  and  was  designed  to  be  supplied  with  air  suffi 
cient  to  support  life  for  half  an  hour.  At  the  bottom,  op 
posite  this  entrance,  was  a  deposit  of  lead  for  ballast. 
The  operator  sat  upright,  holding  an  oar  for  rowing  for 
ward  or  backward,  and  having  command  of  a  rudder  to 
direct  his  course  in  any  direction.  An  aperture  at  the 


228  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

bottom,  with  its  valve,  admitted  water,  for  the  purpose  of 
descending,  while  two  brass  forcing-pumps  served  to  eject 
the  water,  when  necessary  to  rise  to  the  surface. 

Behind  this  vessel,  and  above  the  rudder,  was  a  place 
for  carrying  a  large  powder-magazine.  This  was  made 
of  two  pieces  of  oak  timber,  large  enough  when  hollowed 
out,  to  contain  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  of  powder, 
with  the  apparatus  used  for  firing  it ;  and  was  secured  in 
any  place,  where  it  was  designed  to  act,  by  means  of  a 
screw  turned  by  the  operator.  Within  the  magazine,  was 
a  piece  of  clock-work,  capable  of  running  twelve  hours, 
and  so  arranged  as  to  be  set  to  any  moment,  at  the  will  of 
the  manager.  When  it  had  run  out  its  time,  it  unpinioned 
a  strong  lock,  resembling  a  gun-lock,  by  means  of  which 
the  explosion  was  produced. 

Unfortunately  for  the  contriver  and  his  patron,  this  well- 
managed  scheme  failed,  not,  it  appears,  for  any  want  of 
skill  in  the  construction  of  the  machine,  but  for  another 
reason,  which  will  appear  in  the  sequel. 

A  brother  of  Captain  Bushnell  was  appointed  to  go 
down  with  the  machine,  but  falling  sick  the  day  before  the 
experiment  was  to  have  been  made,  it  was  necessary  to 
find  a  substitute.  A  sergeant  in  the  regiment  from  New 
London,  volunteered  for  this  service.  His  name  was  Abi- 
jah  Shipman,  better  known  among  his  comrades  as  "Long 
Bige."  He  was  an  amphibious  kind  of  a  fellow — had 
been  in  early  life  a  sailor,  engaged  in  carrying  u  stock  " 
to  the  West  Indies  ;  and  was  a  genuine  specimen  of  what 
would  be  called  a  "queer  fish,"  or  "  a  live  Yankee."  He 
stood  six  feet  two  or  three  inches,  was  remarkably  lean 
and  bony,  and  full  of  dry  wit  and  humor.  Fear  formed 
no  part  of  his  composition,  his  chief  faults  were  rather 
too  strong  a  liking  for  St.  Croix  and  tobacco. 

Before  daylight,  on  a  morning  in  July,  Abijah  was  put 


ABIJAH     SHIP  MAN'S     ADVENTURE.          229 

on  board  the  torpedo  on  the  North  Rfter  side,  preparatory 
to  being  pulled  off  into  the  stream,  from  whence  he  was 
to  drop  down  with  the  tide,  and  get  under  the  bottom  of 
the  Eagle,  which  was  the  flag-ship  of  Admiral  Howe. 
Putnam,  Bushnell,  Heath,  Knowllon,  Burr,  and  many 
other  officers,  accompanied  him  to  the  shore.  The  under 
taking  was  regarded  as  extremely  hazardous,  and  no  little 
skill  and  coolness  were  required  for  the  successful  manage 
ment  of  the  machine.  If  he  could  once  strike  the  ship, 
and  attach  the  magazine  to  any  portion  of  the  bottom,  her 
destruction  was  inevitable.  But  to  do  this,  great  care  and 
judgment  were  needed,  and  there  were  many  circum 
stances  that  might  interfere  with  its  successful  operation. 

Every  thing  being  ready,  Abijah  went  on  board  the  Tur 
tle,  and  was  about  to  screw  himself  into  the  air-tight 
chamber,  when,  suddenly  thrusting  his  head  out  again,  he 
exclaimed — 

"  Thunder  and  marlinspikes  !  who's  got  a  cud  of  to 
bacco  ?  This  old  cud  won't  last,  any  how  !"  at  the  same 
time  pulling  out  an  ounce  or  more  of  the  weed,  and  throw 
ing  it  away. 

The  officers,  not  being  addicted  to  this  peculiar  indul 
gence,  or  having  left  their  boxes  at  home,  the  sergeant's 
odd  appeal  excited  only  a  laugh.  Not  even  a  bit  of  pig 
tail  could  be  found,  and  Abijah  was  absolutely  obliged  to  do 
without  it — for  daylight  was  near  at  hand,  and  it  was  ne 
cessary  he  should  move,  without  a  moment's  delay. 

"  Ah  !  my  brave  boy  !"  said  Putnam;  "  you  see  how  it 
is — we  continental  officers  are  too  poor  to  raise  even  a 
tobacco  plug.  Push  off,  my  fine  fellow,  and  to-rnorrow, 
when  yonder  Eagle  has  taken  his  last  flight,  some  of  the 
southern  officers  shall  give  you  an  order  for  a  keg  of  old 
Virginia." 

"Too  bad!"    answered  Abijah,  despondingly  ;    "but 


230  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

mind,  Gen'ral,  if  the  old  Turtle  doesn't  do  her  duty,  it's 
all  because  I  go  to  sea  without  tobacco." 

The  machine  was  towed  into  the  stream,  and  cast  off,  and 
Abijah,  in  his  narrow  chamber  in  the  Turtle's  head,  disap 
peared  under  water.  For  the  space  of  an  hour  or  more, 
Putnam  and  his  friends  waited  upon  the  Battery,  expect 
ing  every  moment  to  see  the  Eagle  ascend  into  the  air. 
When  the  morning  broke,  suspense  gave  way  to  fear. 
Nothing  was  to  be  seen  of  the  torpedo,  and  the  officers 
began  to  mourn  for  Abijah,  as  one  to  be  reported  among  the 
"  missing,"  at  the  next  call  of  his  regimental  muster- 
roll. 

Putnam  had  been  intently  examining  the  vicinity  of  the 
Eagle  with  his  glass,  when  he  suddenly  exclaimed,  "  There 
he  is."  The  top  of  the  machine  was  just  emerging  from 
the  water,  in  a  little  bay,  to  the  left  of  the  Eagle.  It  did 
not  escape  the  observation  of  the  watchful  sentinels  on 
board  the  ship.  A  volley  of  musketry  was  fired  into  it, 
and  down  popped  the  Turtle  in  a  twinkling,  Abijah  not 
relishing  this  kind  of  salutation.  Boats  were  immediately 
sent  from  the  shore  to  his  assistance,  and  the  Eagle  was 
observed  to  be  getting  under  weigh  in  great  haste.  The 
sergeant  was  taken  up  near  Governor's  Island.  The  ma 
gazine  had  been  cast  off,  and  being  set  to  run  an  hour, 
exploded,  at'the  expiration  of  that  time,  with  tremendous 
force,  throwing  up  the  water  in  every  direction.  The 
alarm  on  board  the  men-of-war  was  very  great.  There 
was  an  instant  heaving  at  the  anchors  of  the  Eagle, 
the  Asia,  the  Chatham,  and  all  the  rest.  The  har 
bor  was  evacuated  without  the  ceremony  of  a  salute  •, 
and,  from  that  time,  till  the  morning  of  the  battle  of  Long 
Island,  not  an  English  vessel  moved  from  Staten  Island  up 
the  bay. 


NECESSITY    THE    MOTHER    OF    INVENTION.     231 

On  landing,  the  eccentric  sergeant  gave  the  following 
account  of  his  perilous  submarine  expedition  — 

"Just  as  I  said,  Gen'ral !  it  all  failed  for  want  of  that 
cud  of  tobacoo.  You  see  J  am  narvous  without  tobacco. 
I  got  under  the  Eagle's  bottom,  but  somehow  the  screw 
struck  the  iron  bar,  that  passes  from  the  rudder  pintle,  and 
wouldn't  hold  on,  any  how  I  could  fix  it.  Just  then  I  let 
go  the  oar  to  feel  for  a  cud,  to  steady  my  narves,  and  I 
hadn't  any.  The  tide  swept  me  under  her  counter, 
and  away  I  slipped  top  o'  water.  I  couldn't  manage  to  get 
back,  so  I  pulled  the  lock,  and  let  the  thunder-box  slide. 
I  say,  can't  you  raise  a  cud  among  you,  now  ?"* 

The  immense  advantage,  which  the  British  commander 
possessed  over  his  antagonist,  in  the  well-appointed  fleet, 
under  the  command  of  his  brother,  Admiral  Howe,  con 
stituted  one  of  the  many  inequalities  in  this  contest,  which 
the  Americans  found  it  most  difficult  to  overcome.  They 
had  neither  navy,  nor  seamen,  nor  the  means  of  raising 
and  equipping  them  ;  while  the  enemy,  being  amply  pro 
vided  with  both,  had  every  facility  for  moving  in  any 
direction,  transporting  forces  and  provisions  from  place  to 
place,  and  protecting  their  movements,  and  flanking  their 
batteries,  by  the  heavy  guns  of  their  ships,  as  well  as  cut 
ting  off  the  communication  of  their  adversary  with  his  dif 
ferent  posts.  It  was,  therefore,  of  the  highest  importance, 
that  some  efficient  means  should  be  devised,  to  resist,  and, 
if  possible,  destroy  this  powerful  engine  of  offence  ;  or,  at 
least  to  protect  from  its  approaches  some  of  the  most  vul 
nerable  and  important  points  in  the  line  of  their  defences. 
The  best  mode  of  doing  this  became  a  subject  of  intense 
interest,  and  deep  study,  with  all  those  who  were  actively 
engaged,  in  the  good  cause.  From  the  Commander-in- 
chief  to  the  humblest  artisan  in  his  service,  every  ing  •- 
*  Noah's  Weekly  Messenger. 


232  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

nious  mind  was  bent  upon  devising  schemes  of  annoyance, 
which  should,  in  some  degree,  supply  the  deficiency  of  a 
naval  force.  Necessity,  as  in  all  similar  cases,  became 
the  mother  of  invention.  A  variety  of  experiments  were 
made,  and  a  very  considerable  expense  incurred,  in  the 
prosecution  of  these  inventions.  Putnam,  who  was  apt 
and  ingenious  in  such  contrivances,  devoted  a  great  deal 
of  attention  to  them,  and  was  encouraged  in  doing  so,  by 
the  approval  of  Washington,  and  of  Congress.  From  this 
source  sprung  not  only  torpedos  and  turtles,  but  chevaux~ 
de-frise,  both  in  the  Hudson  and  Delaware,  with  booms, 
chains,  and  sunken  hulks,  row-galleys,  fire-rafts,  and  other 
devices.  It  is  true,  they  were  not,  in  many  instances, 
successful.  They  answered  but  little  purpose,  in  check 
ing  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  and  only  in  a  few  cases, 
disabled  any  of  their  vessels.  The  ships  passed  over  the 
chevaux~de-frise  without  damage.  The  row-galleys  were 
too  feeble  to  compete  with  their  heavy  guns.  The  fire- 
ships  failed  for  want  of  skill  in  their  management ;  and 
the  torpedo  was  lost  by  an  unfortunate  sweep  of  the  tide, 
or,  if  we  may  credit  the  story  of  Abijah  Shipman,  for  lack 
of  a  quid  of  tobacco.  This  torpedo  was  the  most  promis 
ing  of  all  the  inventions  of  the  day,  and  would,  if  success 
ful  in  one  instance,  have  done  more  than  any  or  all  the 
rest,  to  intimidate  the  enemy,  and  take  away  the  strength 
from  this  right  arm  of  his  power.  Not  knowing  when  or 
where  to  expect  it,  he  would  always  have  approached  the 
shore  with  fear  and  trembling,  and  Putnam  and  Bushnell 
would  have  been  regarded  as  the  ablest  and  most  favored 
of  the  defenders  of  thier  country.  Whether  it  was  owing 
to  want  of  confidence  in  the  scheme,  or  the  feeble  state  of 
Bushnell's  health,  does  not  appear  ;  but  the  experiment 
was  never  tried  again. 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 


THE    BATTLE    OF    BROOKLYN,    AND    RETREAT    FROM    LONG 
ISLAND. 

Fortifications  on  Long  Island — General  Sullivan  in  command,  in 
consequence  of  the  illness  of  General  Greene — Landing  of  the 
British  at  the  Narrows — Sullivan  reinforced — Putnam  sent  to  take 
the  command — His  orders — Relative  position  of  the  armies — Gene 
ral  Clinton  seizes  one  of  the  passes  through  the  hills — General 
Grant  makes  a  feint  in  the  opposite  direction — General  Stirling 
detached  to  meet  him — De  Heister  advances  towards  Bedford — 
Clinton  gains  the  rear  of  Sullivan,  while  De  Heister  attacks  him 
in  front — Sullivan,  in  an  attempt  to  retreat,  is  taken  prisoner — 
Stirling,  attempting  to  regain  the  lines,  is  met  by  Cornwallis — 
Engages  him,  to  cover  the  retreat  of  his  division — Is  made  prisoner 
— The  greater  part  of  his  division  escapes — Loss  of  the  Americans 
— Washington  in  the  camp,  a  witness  of  the  battle — The  difficulty 
of  his  position — Comments  upon  the  Battle— Masterly  retreat. 

A  PORTION  of  the  American  army  was  stationed  at  Brook 
lyn,  on  Long  Island,  under  the  command  of  Major-General 
Greene.  It  was  an  important  position,  and  its  defence 
\vas  deemed  absolutely  necessary,  to  secure  the  possession 
of  the  city  of  New  York.  It  was  strongly  fortified  against 
an  attack  from  within  the  island,  by  a  line  of  defences, 
extending  along  the  high  grounds,  from  Wallabout  to  Go- 
wanus  Bay,  at  a  distance  of  about  a  mile  and  a  half  from 
"  The  Heights."  The  remains  of  its  northern  redoubt, 
called  Fort  Greene,  are  still  to  be  seen,  between  Myrtle 
and  Fulton  Avenues,  above  Navy  Street.  A  portion  of 
the  line  of  intrenchments  from  that  point  towards  Red 


234  LIFE     OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM 

Hook,  may  also  be  easily  traced,  on  the  south  side  of  Ful 
ton  Street,  just  below  its  junction  with  the  A. venue.  These 
will  soon  disappear  before  the  rapid  advances  of  a  popu 
lous  and  thriving  city,  but  Fort  Greene  is  to  be  preserved, 
in  perpetuo,  and  ornamented  as  a  public  park. 

These  fortifications  commanded,  from  the  various  points 
of  their  extended  line,  all  the  approaches  from  the  inte 
rior,  and  from  the  northern  and  southern  shores  of  the 
Island.  The  rear  was  covered  and  defended  against  an 
attack  from  the  ships,  by  strong  batteries  on  Red  Hook 
and  Governor's  Island,  which,  in  a  great  measure,  com 
manded  that  part  of  the  bay,  and  by  other  batteries  on  the 
East  River,  which  kept  open  the  communication  with  the 
main  army  in  the  city  of  New  York.  In  front  of  these 
defences,  was  a  range  of  hills  covered  with  thick  woods, 
extending  eastwardly  nearly  the  whole  length  of  the  Island. 
They  were  everywhere  passable  by  infantry,  and  were 
traversed,  at  three  different  points,  by  roads  leading  to  the 
Brooklyn  Ferry.  These  were  the  only  points,  or  passes, 
through  which  artillery  or  cavalry  could  approach. 

On  the  eve  of  an  expected  attack  from  the  enemy, 
General  Greene  was  seized  with  a  raging  fever,  and  the 
command  of  this  important  post  devolved  upon  General 
Sullivan.  On  the  22d  of  August,  a  large  body  of  the 
British,  under  the  command  of  General  Clinton,  landed 
near  the  Ferry  at  the  Narrows,  and  marched  through 
Utrecht  and  Gravesend,  across  the  low  grounds  at  Flat- 
bush,  approaching  within  three  or  four  miles  of  the  Ame 
rican  lines.  Their  principal  encampment  was  near  the 
village  of  Flatland,  under  Clinton,  Earl  Percy  and  Lord 
Cornwallis.  The  centre,  at  Flatbush,  was  composed  of 
Hessians,  under  the  command  of  General  De  Heister. 
The  left  wing,  under  General  Grant,  extended  to  the  place 
of  landing,  on  the  coast.  The  landing  was  effected  with- 


HE     TAKES     COMMAND     AT     BROOKLYN.       235 

out  opposition,  under  cover  of  the  ships  that  lined  the 
coast — Colonel  Donop's  corps  of  chasseurs  and  Hessian 
grenadiers,  with  forty  pieces  of  cannon,  being  in  the  van. 
A  party  of  Pennsylvania  troops,  under  Colonel  Hand, 
whose  duty  it  was  to  guard  the  coast  at  this  place,  retired 
before  them,  and  took  a  position  on  the  high  grounds, 
commanding  the  pass  from  Flatbush  to  Brooklyn.  Lord 
Cornwallis  was  detached  to  seize  this  pass,  if  not  in  the 
hands  of  the  Americans  ;  but  was  commanded  not  to  en 
gage  with  them,  if  they  were  there  in  any  force.  Finding 
the  pass  guarded,  he  moved  on,  and  took  post  with  the 
British  right  wing  at  Flatland. 

Immediately  on  the  landing  of  this  force,  Washington 
detached  six  battalions  from  the  army  in  New  York,  to 
reinforce  General  Sullivan,  and  ordered  five  battalions 
more  to  be  in  readiness  to  join  them,  at  a  moment's 
warning. 

On  Sunday,  the  25th,  Major  General  Putnam  was 
directed  to  take  command  at  Brooklyn,  carrying  with  him 
these  additional  reinforcements — General  Sullivan  still 
holding  the  immediate  command  of  all  the  troops  not 
within  the  lines.  In  his  orders  from  the  Commander-in- 
chief,  Putnam  was  urgently  enjoined  to  put  everything  in 
readiness  for  a  resolute  defence  ;  and,  in  particular,  to 
guard  well  the  passes  between  his  lines  and  the  enemy's 
camp.  "  The  wood  next  to  Red  Hook  should  be  well 
attended  to.  Put  some  of  the  most  disorderly  riflemen 
into  it.  The  militia  are  the  most  indifferent  troops,  those 
I  mean  who  are  least  tutored,  and  have  seen  the  least 
service,  and  will  do  for  the  interior  works  ;  whilst  your 
best  men  should,  at  all  hazards,  prevent  the  enemy's  pass 
ing  the  woods,  and  approaching  your  works.  The  woods 
should  be  secured  by  abattis  when  necessary,  to  make  the 
enemy's  approach  as  difficult  as  possible.  Traps  and 


236  LIFE     OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

ambuscades  should  be  laid  for  tbeir  parties,  if  you  find 
they  are  sent  out  after  cattle." 

On  Tuesday,  the  27th,  two  days  after  General  Putnam 
took  the  command,  the  attack  was  made.  Agreeably  to 
the  leading  suggestion  in  his  orders,  as  well  as  to  the  natu 
ral  facilities  of  the  place,  he  expected  the  first  and  prin 
cipal  offensive  demonstration  to  be  made,  by  way  of  the 
passes  near  the  western  shore.  To  these,  therefore,  he 
directed  his  first  attention. 

In  order  to  a  perfect  understanding  of  the  details  of  the 
battle  which  ensued,  it  will  be  necessary  to  obtain  a  clear 
view  of  the  relative  position  of  the  two  armies,  previous 
to  the  engagement.  The  range  of  hills  before-mentioned 
lay  between  them.  The  British  centre,  at  Flatbush,  was 
scarcely  four  miles  distant  from  the  American  lines  at 
Fort  Greene — a  road  leading  directly  across  from  one  to 
the  other.  Another  road,  diverging  a  little  northwardly 
from  this,  led  through  another  pass,  by  way  of  Bedford 
village.  The  right  and  left  wings  of  the  British  army, 
the  former  near  Flatland,  the  latter  near  Utrecht  and 
Gravesend,  at  the  Narrows,  were  each  between  five  and 
six  miles  from  the  American  works.  From  the  position 
occupied  by  the  right  wing,  there  was  another  and  some 
what  circuitous  rouie,  through  a  pass  on  the  north,  leading 
into  the  main  road  from  Jamaica  to  Bedford.  All  these 
several  roads  met  in  the  plain,  between  Bedford  and 
Brooklyn,  within  less  than  half  a  mile  from  the  American 
lines. 

The  road  first  mentioned,  leading  direct  from  Flatbush 
to  Brooklyn,  was  defended  by  a  strong  redoubt,  under  the 
immediate  command  of  General  Sullivan.  To  this  point 
Colonel  Hand  had  retired  with  his  detachment,  on  the 
landing  of  the  British,  burning,  as  he  passed  along,  several 
parcels  of  wheat,  and  such  other  valuables  as  he  supposed 


MOVEMENTS     OF     CLINTON      AND     GRANT.    237 

would  fall  into  the  enemy's  hands.  The  pass  on  the 
other  road  from  Fiatbush,  leading  to  Bedford,  was  occu 
pied  hy  Colonel  Williams  on  the  north,  and  a  regiment  of 
Pennsylvania  riflemen,  under  Colonel  Miles,  on  the  south 
The  road  from  Jamaica,  on  the  north  side  of  the  hills, 
guarded  hy  light  parties  of  volunteers,  was  less  ably  pro 
tected  than  either  of  the  others — partly  because  less  danger 
was  apprehended  from  that  quarter,  and  partly  because 
the  change  of  command,  consequent  upon  the  illness  of 
General  Greene,  who  superintended  the  erection  of  the 
"works,  and  was  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  lay  of  the 
land,  left  the  whole  affair  to  the  direction  of  those,  who 
did  not  fully  understand  the  ground,  and  who  had  not  suf 
ficient  time,  before  the  action,  to  acquire  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  their  position. 

About  nine  o'clock  on  the  evening  of  the  26th,  General 
Clinton,  having  ascertained  the  weakness  of  the  party  at 
the  pass  on  the  north  of  his  position,  silently  drew  off  the 
van  of  his  army  in  that  direction.  Arriving  at  the  pass, 
unperceived,  before  day-break,  he  surprised  and  secured 
the  whole  party  stationed  therv — thus  cutting  off  from  his 
enemy  all  knowledge  of  his  approach.  On  the  appearance 
of  day,  his  whole  column  passed  the  heights,  and  advanced 
into  the  level  country,  bet.wee-n  them  and  Brooklyn. 

Before  Clinton  had  secured  this  movement,  on  which 
the  fate  of  the  day  turned,  General  Grant,  being  ordered 
to  make  a  diversion  in  the  opposite  direction,  advanced 
along  the  coast,  at  the  head  of  the  left  wing,  with  ten 
pieces  of  cannon.  His  main  object  being  to  draw  the 
attention  of  the  American  commander  from  his  left,  now 
exposed,  without  knowing  it,  to  the  whole  force  of  the 
British  right,  he  moved  slowly,  skirmishing,  as  he  advanc 
ed,  with  the  light  parties  stationed  along  the  road. 

This  movement  of  General  Grant  was  communicated  to 


238  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

General  Putnam  about  three  o'clock  in  the  morning,  who 
immediately  detached  Brigadier-General  Lord  Stirling, 
with  strong  reinforcements,  to  meet  and  resist  it.  He 
reached  the  summit  of  the  hill  a  little  before  sunrise,  and 
was  there  joined  by  the  troops  which  had  been  already 
engaged,  and  were  now  slowly  retiring  before  the  en-emy. 
Their  retreat  being  arrested  by  this  timely  reinforcement, 
the  enemy  soon  appeared  in  sight.  A  brisk  cannonade 
was  immediately  commenced  on  both  sides,  which  con 
tinued  for  several  hours  ;  while  some  spirited,  but  not 
very  effective  skirmishing  took  place  between  the  infantry. 
Lord  Stirling,  being  ordered  to  act  only  on  the  defensive, 
was  anxious  only  to  keep  possession  of  the  pass.  He 
could  not,  therefore,  descend  in  force  from  the  heights,  to 
bring  on  a  general  engagement ;  and  General  Grant  had 
no  desire  to  drive  him  back,  until  that  part  of  the  plan, 
which  was  under  the  direction  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 
should  be  executed. 

Soon  after  daylight,  General  De  Heister  commenced  a 
distant  cannonade  upon  the  American  redoubt  above  Flat- 
bush,  where  General  Sullivan  was  stationed.  He  did  not, 
however,  advance  from  his  position  at  Flatbush,  until  he 
had  notice  that  the  British  right  had  turned  the  left,  and 
gained  the  rear  of  the  American  lines.  In  the  meantime, 
the  more  effectually  to  divert  attention  from  the  actual 
point  of  attack,  the  fleet  was  put  in  motion,  and  a  heavy 
cannonade  commenced  upon  the  battery  at  Red  Hook. 

About  half-past  eight,  the  British  van  having  reached 
Bedford,  and  thrown  forward  a  detachment  to  the  rear  of 
General  Sullivan,  General  De  Heister  ordered  Colonel 
Donop's  corps  to  advance  upon  the  redoubt  on  the  hill, 
himself  following  with  the  whole  of  his  division.  At  the 
moment  that  this  movement  was  attempted,  General  Sul 
livan  was  made  aware  of  the  presence  of  the  main  division 


SULLIVAN     DEFEATED     AND     CAPTURED.    239 

of  the  British  at  Bedford,  and  an  effort  was  immediately 
made  to  regain  the  camp  at  Brooklyn.  While  retiring 
from  the  woods,  by  regiments,  with  this  view,  they  en 
countered  the  British  front.  At  the  same  instant,  De 
Heister  came  up  from  Flatbush,  to  attack  them  on  that 
side.  Such  was  the  confusion  and  consternation,  occa 
sioned  by  this  sudden  discovery  of  an  unknown  and  unex 
pected  danger,  that,  though  General  Sullivan  commanded 
the  post  in  person,  and  exerted  all  his  accustomed  energy 
and  skill,  with  the  most  determined  bravery,  he  found  it 
difficult  to  keep  his  troops  together  long  enough  to  meet 
the  first  onset.  The  brisk  firing  from  the  Bedford  quarter 
had  disclosed  to  his  whole  detachment  the  alarming  fact, 
that  their  left  flank  was  already  turned,  and  their  rear 
completely  exposed  to  the  enemy.  Apprehending,  at 
once,  the  full  danger  of  their  position,  and  the  utter  futility 
of  any  attempt  to  defend  themselves  in  it,  they  thought 
only  of  escaping  from  the  snare,  by  an  instant  retreat  upon 
their  own  camp. 

The  sudden  rout  of  this  party  enabled  De  Heister  to 
detach  a  part  of  his  force  upon  the  upper  road  to  Bedford, 
to  fall  upon  the  rear  of  Colonels  Williams  and  Miles. 
The  American  lines,  in  that  quarter,  had  already  been 
broken,  and  driven  back  into  the  woods  ;  while  the  BriT 
tish  van,  led  by  General  Clinton,  was  moving  forward,  to 
intercept  and  engage  those  who  were  endeavoring  to 
secure  their  retreat  alon"'  the  direct  road  from  Flatbush. 

O 

Thus  attacked  both  in  front  and  rear,  and  alternately 
driven  by  the  British  on  the  Hessians,  and  by  the  Hes 
sians  back  again  on  the  British,  they  were  drawn  into  a 
succession  of  skirmishes,  in  the  course  of  which,  some 
considerable  parties  forced  their  way  through  the  columns 
of  the  enemy,  and,  fighting  all  the  way,  as  they  retreated, 
regained  the  lines  at  Brooklyn.  Some  individuals  also 


240  LIFE     OP     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

saved  themselves  under  cover  of  the  woods,  and  ultimately 
effected  their  escape.  But  a  large  proportion  of  the  whole 
detachment  were  either  killed  or  taken  prisoners.  Gene 
ral  Sullivan  was  among  the  latter.  Surrounded  and 
hemmed  in  as  he  was,  and  with  greatly  inferior  numbers, 
he  made  a  most  gallant  resistance,  and  maintained  it,  with 
such  force  as  he  had,  more  than  two  hours  ;  bravely  illus 
trating  the  difference  between  a  retreat  and  a  flight. 

So  silently  had  Clinton's  first  grand  movement  been 
accomplished,  and  so  rapidly  had  all  the  subsequent  steps 
been  taken,  that  the  American  right  received  no  notice  of 
these  events,  until  the  firing  in  the  vicinity  of  Brooklyn 
announced  that  the  enemy  had  gained  their  rear.  Lord 
Stirling  was  sensible  of  his  danger,  and  perceived  that  the 
only  safety  for  his  division  was  in  an  instant  retreat.  This 
he  hoped  to  effect  by  crossing  Mill  Creek,  belowr  the 
swamp.  To  this  point  Lord  Cornwallis  had  advanced, 
with  a  view  to  cut  off  the  retreat  of  the  American  right. 
He  took  his  station  under  cover  of  a  house  near  the  Up 
per  Mills.  To  cover  the  intended  movement  of  his  detach 
ment,  by  occupying  Lord  Cornwallis  till  it  should  be 
achieved,  Lord  Stirling  determined  to  attack  him  in  per 
son.  For  this  purpose,  six  companies  of  Smallwood's 
regiment  of  Maryland  riflemen  were  drawn  out,  and  the 
attack  was  made  with  great  spirit.  Several  times,  suc 
cessively,  they  charged  the  enemy  with  great  bravery,  and 
with  such  admirable  effect,  that  they  were  on  the  point 
of  dislodging  Lord  Cornwallis  from  his  post,  when,  some 
considerable  reinforcements  arriving  to  his  aid,  at  the  same 
time  that  General  Grant,  with  his  division,  advanced  upon 
their  rear,  they  were  compelled  to  give  way,  and  follow 
their  comrades  in  the  retreat.  They  were  all,  with  their 
General,  made  prisoners  of  war.  But  they  had  accom 
plished  the  main  object  of  their  brave  attack,  by  diverting 


AMERICAN     LOSS     AT     BROOKLYN.  241 

the  attention  of  the  enemy  from  the  remainder  of  their 
detachment — -who,  while  they  were  engaged,  succeeded, 
"with  the  loss  of  one  man,  in  crossing  the  creek,  and  gain 
ing  the  American  lines. 

The  loss  sustained  by  the  Americans,  in  this  battle,  has 
been  variously  estimated.  It  was  probably  not  far  from 
eleven  hundred,  of  whom  by  far  the  greater  part  were 
taken  prisoners.  The  number,  who  took  part  in  the  action, 
was  about  five  thousand.  About -two-thirds  of  these  were 
•with  Lord  Stirling's  division,  on  the  right,  most  of  whom, 
as  is  seen  above,  effected  their  retreat  across  the  creek. 
Of  Colonel  Hand's  regiment,  and  those  of  Williams  and 
Miles,  in  the  hills  between  Bedford  and  Flatbush,  a  con 
siderable  number  made  good  their  retreat.  But  the  larger 
proportion  of  the  prisoners  taken,  wrere  from  this  division, 
and  their  number  was  afterwards  swelled,  by  the  capture, 
at  Jamaica,  of  two  hundred  of  the*  Long  Island  militia, 
under  General  Woodhull,  whose  movements  were  wholly 
independent  of  the  army.  As  General  Howe,  in  his  report 
of  the  battle,  stated  the  number  of  prisoners,  including 
General  Woodhull  and  his  corps,  at  one  thousand  and 
ninety-seven,  the  number  of  killed  must  have  been  very 
small.  His  own  loss,  killed,  wounded  and  taken,  was  set 
down  at  three  hundred  and  sixty-seven. 

In  the  heat  of  the  action,  General  Washington  passed 
over  to  the  camp  at  Brooklyn,  wrhere  he  witnessed,  with 
feelings,  which  can  better  be  imagined  than  described,  the 
utter  rout  of  his  choicest  troops,  without  the  power  of 
relieving  them,  or  of  doing  anything  to  change  the  fate  of 
the  day.  General  Putnam  had  already  detached  from  his 
camp  every  man  that  could  be  spared,  consistently  with 
the  defence  of  his  own  position,  on  which  that  of  New 
York,  and  the  army  there,  depended.  It  was  more  than 
probable  that  the  British  commander  would  follow  up  the 
11 


242  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

successes  of  the  day,  by  combining  all  his  forces  for  an 
attack  upon  the  American  camp.  The  main  body  of  his 
army  was  posted  a  short  distance  in  front  of  the  lines,  and 
it  was  supposed  he  intended  to  force  them  by  regular 
approaches,  while  the  ships  of  war,  coming  round  into  the 
East  River,  and  cutting  off  all  communication  with  New 
York,  should  equally  prevent  General  Putnam  from  effect 
ing  a  retreat,  or  receiving  reinforcements.  In  this  state  of 
things,  the  numbers  of  the  enemy  being  greatly  superior, 
and  elated  with  recent  success,  it  would  have  been  mad 
ness  to  offer  him  further  battle.  The  entire  hope  of  the 
Americans  was  in  continuing  to  act  on  the  defensive. 
This  was  the  judgment  of  Washington,  and  his  council,  as 
well  before  the  battle  as  after  it.  The  relative  numbers 
and  character  of  the  two  armies,  and  their  position  during 
the  engagement,  fully  vindicates  the  soundness  of  that 
judgment.  The  subsequent  retreat,  and  the  events  con 
nected  with,  and  following  it,  disclosing  the  ulterior  de 
signs  of  the  enemy,  confirm  and  establish,  beyond  a  cavil, 
the  wisdom  of  that  decision,  and  show  clearly  that  the  fate 
of  the  whole  American  army,  and  with  it  the  American 
cause,  was.  at  that  moment,  suspended  upon  the  prudent 
generalship  of  a  great  commander. 

The  unfortunate  issue  of  this  battle  of  Long  Island,  has 
made  it  the  subject  of  many  and  severe  comments,  by  that 
class  of  critics,  who  estimate  actions  only  by  the  measure 
of  success  which  attends  them.  Some  have  censured 
freely  the  Commander-in-chief,  while  others  have  laid  the 
onus  of  blame  upon  General  Putnam,  charging  him  with 
unpardonable  neglect,  in  not  posting  a  sufficient  force  on 
the  Jamaica  road,  to  protect  the  pass.  To  every  charge 
of  this  kind,  it  ought  to  be  a  sufficient  answer,  that  he  was 
unexpectedly  assigned  to  that  command  on  Sunday,  the 
25th,  and  that  the  pass  was  taken  by  General  Clinton 


COMMENTS      ON      THE      BATTLE.  243 

before  break  of  day,  on  Tuesday,  the  27th.  Without  any 
previous  knowledge  of  the  posts  which  had  been  fortified 
beyond  the  lines,  or  the  passes  by  which  the  enemy  could 
make  their  approach,  and  with  scarcely  two  day**  to  make 
himself  acquainted  with  his  extended  lines,  the  condition 
of  his  forces,  and  the  nature  of  the  grounds  without, 
through  a  circuit  of  more  than  twenty  miles — there  is  cer 
tainly  no  show  of  reason,  in  attributing  the  disastrous  issue 
of  the  day,  to  any  lack  of  watchfulness  or  activity  on  his 
part. 

The  first  duty  of  the  good  officer  is  to  execute  the  orders 
of  his  superior.  It  is  manifest  from  the  orders  of  Wash 
ington,  that  he  regarded  the  pass  on  the  south  as  the  most 
important,  and  first  to  be  attended  to.  To  that  Putnam, 
accordingly,  devoted  his  first  care,  and  provided  it  with  an 
ample  defence.  It  was  stoutly  defended,  as  it  was,  and 
would  have  been  maintained  against  all  the  force  of  the 
British  left,  if  it  had  not  been  attacked  in  the  rear.  At  the 
same  time,  the  other- passes  were  not  overlooked.  That, 
by  which  Clinton  came  down  upon  the  plain,  was  provided 
with  a  patrolling  party,  whose  duty  it  was  to  report  to  the 
commanding  officer,  any  and  every  movement  of  the 
enemy  in  that  quarter.  The  misfortune  was,  that  this 

*  General  Sullivan,  in  his  letter  to  the  President  of  Congress,  says, 
"  General  Putnam  had  taken  the  command  from  me  four  days  before 
the  action."  Colonel  Humphreys  says  it  was  two  days;  and  General 
Washington,  writing  to  the  President  of  Congress,  on  the  23d,  four 
days  before  the  battle,  says,  "  I  have  been  obliged  to  appoint  Major- 
General  Sullivan  to  the  command  on  the  Island,  owing  to  General 
Greene's  indisposition."  The  only  "  orders"  given  to  General  Put 
nam,  bearing  upon  this  command,  are  dated  of  the  25th,  to  which  date 
Marshall  assigns  the  beginning  of  Putnam's  command.  Dr.  Sparks, 
in  a  note  attached  to  the  above-mentioned  order  of  the  25th,  says, 
"  Putnam  had  just  been  sent  over  to  take  the  general  command  on 
Long  Island." 


244  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

party  suffered  a  surprise.  They  were  all  taken  prisoners, 
and  therefore  were  not  able  to  give  the  desired  notice  of 
the  enemy's  approach. 

Both  Marshall  and  Sparks  fully  vindicate  General  Put 
nam  from  any  charge  of  neglect,  or  oversight,  in  this  mat 
ter.  The  latter*  says,  u  He  (Putnam)  had  not  time  to 
acquire  this  knowledge  (of  the  various  posts,  passes,  &c.) 
before  the  action.  The  consequence  was,  that,  although 
he  was  commander  on  the  day  of  the  battle,  he  never  went 
beyond  the  lines  at  Brooklyn,  and  could  give  no  other 
orders,  than  for  sending  out  troops,  to  meet  the  enemy  at 
different  points." 

Judge  Marshall  says,*f  "  His  (Putnam's)  numbers  were 
not  sufficient  to  furnish  detachments  for  all  the  defiles  through 
the  mountains ;  and,  if  a  corps,  capable  of  making  an  effec 
tual  resistance,  had  been  posted  on  this  road,  and  a  feint 
had  been  made  upon  it,  while  the  principal  attack  was  by  the 
direct  road  from  Flatbush,  or  by  that  along  the  coast,  the 
events  of  the  day  would  probably  have  been  not  less  disas 
trous.  The  columns,  marching  directly  from  Flatbush, 
must,  on  every  reasonable  calculation,  have  been  in  pos 
session  of  the  plains,  in  the  rear  of  the  detachment  posted 
on  the  road  from  Jamaica,  so  as  to  intercept  its  retreat  to 
the  camp.  So  great  is  the  advantage  of  those  who  attack, 
in  being  able  to  choose  the  point  against  which  to  direct 
their  grand  effort. 

"  The  most  advisable  plan,  then,  appears  to  have  been, 
to  watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy,  so  as  to  be  master  of 
his  designs  ;  to  oppose,  with  a  competent  force,  every 
attempt  to  seize  the  heights ;  and  to  guard  all  the  passes 
in  such  a  manner,  as  to  receive  notice  of  his  approach 

*  Writings  of  Washington,  vol.  iv.,  page  513. 
t  Life   of  Washington.      Second   Edition.      Philadelphia,   183& 
Vol.  i.,  page  93. 


MARSHALL'S    OPINION.  245 

through  any  of  them,  in  sufficient  time,  to  recall  the  troops 
maintaining  the  others. 

"  This  plan  was  adopted — and  the  heavy  disasters  of  the 
day,  are  attributable,  principally,  to  the.  failure  of  those 
charged  with  the  execution  of  that  very  important  part  of  it, 
which  related  to  the  Jamaica  road.  The  letter  of  General 
Howe  states,  that  an  American  patrolling  party  was  taken 
on  this  road  ;  and  General  Washington,  in  a  private  and 
confidential  communication  to  a  friend,  says,  '  This  mis 
fortune  happened,  in  a  great  measure,  by  two  detachments 
of  our  people,  who  were  posted  in  two  roads  leading 
through  a  wood,  to  intercept  the  enemy  in  their  march, 
(one  of  them)  suffering  a  surprise,  and  (the  other)  mak 
ing  a  precipitate  retreat.' 

"  The  events  of  this  day,  too,  exhibited  a  practical  de 
monstration  of  a  radical  defect  in  the  structure  of  the  army, 
//  did  not  contain  a  single  corps  of  cavalry.  Had  the  Gene 
ral  been  provided  with  a  few  troops  of  light  horse,  to  serve 
merely  as  vedettes,  it  is  probable  that  the  movement,  so 
decisive  of  the  fate  of  the  day,  could  not  have  been  made 
unnoticed." 

A  more  complete  and  triumphant  vindication  of  General 
Putnam,  from  the  charge  of  neglect,  inefficiency,  or  a  lack 
of  judgment,  decision,  or  any  other  martial  virtue,  in  the 
conduct  of  this  affair,  could  not  be  desired.  If  anything  is 
wanting  to  relieve  him  from  all  responsibility  in  relation  to 
it,  it  is  found  in  the  fact,  that  General  Washington  passed 
the  whole  of  the  26th,  the  day  previous  to  the  battle,  at 
Brooklyn,  and  assisted  in  all  the  arrangements  for  the  ex 
pected  action.  He  was  in  the  camp  with  Putnam,  almost 
up  to  the  very  hour  when  Clinton  began  his  stealthy  ad 
vance  from  Flatland,  to  surprise  the  fatal  pass.  With 
equal  clearness  of  perception,  and  force  of  argument,  is  the 
generalship,  foresight  and  skill  of  the  Commander-in-chief, 


246  LIFE      OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

defended  from  all  reproach,  by  the  same  masterly  hand, 
than  whom,  for  his  commanding  genius,  his  fearless  impar 
tiality,  and  his  personal  acquaintance  with  the  principal 
actors  in  these  scenes,  there  can  be  no  better  or  more 
satisfactory  authority. 

The  truth  is,  that  the  greatest  error,  committed  on  this 
occasion,  was  committed  by  General  Howe,  in  not  follow 
ing  up  his  victory  by  an  immediate  attack  on  the  Ameri 
can  lines.  With  his  superior  numbers,  and  flushed  with 
success,  he  would  undoubtedly  have  carried  them,  and 
either  killed,  or  made  prisoners  of  the  flower  of  the  Ameri 
can  army,  at  the  same  time  laying  open  to  immediate 
attack,  on  its  most  vulnerable  side,  the  main  body  of  the 
reserve  in  New  York.  Had  he  not  been  greatly  deceived 
in  his  estimate  of  General  Putnam's  real  strength,  he 
would  certainly  have  attempted  this  move,  in  which  case, 
the  great  cause  of  American  liberty  would  have  been 
staked  upon  one  cast  of  the  die,  and  that,  under  circum 
stances,  in  which  all  the  advantage  was  on  the  side  of  the 
enemy. 

It  may  be  questioned,  indeed,  if  the  defeat  of  this  day 
should  not  be  regarded,  rather  as  a  kind,  providential  inter 
position,  to  save  the  cause  of  freedom  from  a  sudden  and 
hopeless  overthrow,  than  as  a  disaster.  It  was  deemed 
important  and  possible,  by  Congress,  by  Washington,  and 
by  a  majority  of  his  advisers,  to  retain  possession  of  New 
York.  It  was  certainly  desirable  that  they  should  have 
been  convinced,  by  the  indirect  attack  upon  the  outpost  on 
Long  Island,  that  their  main  position  was  not  tenable, 
rather  than  to  have  held  it  undisturbed,  as  they  would 
have  done  if  the  success  of  this  battle  had  been  on  their 
side,  till  the  enemy  had  driven  his  ships  up  the  North  and 
East  Rivers — which  he  had  shown  himself  able,  by  favor 
of  wind  and  tide,  to  do — and  landed  on  the  main,  above 


MASTERLY      RETREAT.  247 

Haerlem  River,  a  sufficient  force  to  confine  his  antagonist  to 
the  Island.*  Let  any  one  look  at  the  ground,  remembering 
that  the  Americans  had  no  ships,  and  but  few  heavy  can 
non,  while  the  British  were  amply  supplied  with  both, 
and  he  will  be  forced  to  the  conclusion,  that,  if  Washing 
ton  made  a  mistake,  in  attempting  to  occupy  and  defend 
Long  Island,  in  the  hope  of  thereby  retaining  New  York 
as  his  main  position,  Howe  committed  a  capital  error,  in 
making  his  first  attack  upon  that  quarter  ;  and  another, 
of  scarcely  less  importance,  in  not  following  up  his  victory, 
by  a  bold  assault  upon  Putnam  ""s  defences. 

In  front  of  those  defences,  he  immediately  fixed  his 
camp,  and  commenced  his  arrangements  to  force  them,  by 
a  series  of  regular  approaches.  But  his  prudent  enemy 
did  not  leave  him  opportunity  to  finish  them.  On  the 
night  of  the  day  succeeding  the  battle,  Clinton  broke  ground 
for  the  erection  of  a  battery,  within  six  hundred  yards  of 
a  redoubt  on  the  left.  On  the  same  night,  the  entire 
American  force  was  withdrawn  to  New  York,  with  such 
silence,  order,  and  despatch,  that  all  the  troops  and  mili 
tary  stores,  with  the  greater  part  of  the  provisions,  and 
all  the  artillery,  except  a  few  heavy  pieces,  were  carried 
over  in  safety,  before  the  movement  was  revealed  to  the 
enemy.  At  break  of  day,  the  British  outposts  disco 
vered  the  rear-guard  crossing  the  East  River,  and  out  of 
the  reach  of  their  guns. 

This  retreat,  in  its  plan,  execution  and  success,  was  one 
of  those  masterly  manoeuvres,  which  distinguish  the  man 
of  commanding  genius,  consummate  skill,  and  inexhausti 
ble  resources,  from  the  mere  military  chieftain.  To  con 
vey,  in  boats,  during  the  brief  hours  of  a  summer's  night, 
across  an  arm  of  the  sea,  half  a  mile  in  width,  an  army  of 

*  See  Washington's  Letters  of  this  period,  particularly  those  of  tho 
8th  and  14th  of  September,  to  the  President  of  Congress. 


248  LIFE      OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

nine  thousand  men,*  with  all  the  arms,  ammunition,  pro 
visions,  camp  equipage  and  military  stores  of  every  de 
scription,  required  for  lines  as  extensive  as  those  at 
Brooklyn — to  accomplish  all  this  in  the  near  vicinity  of  a 
watchful  and  victorious  foe,  and  that  without  the  loss  of 
a  single  man,  is  an  achievement,  worthy  of  the  ablest  ge 
neral,  that  ever  guided  the  destinies  of  war — worthy  of  a 
Hannibal  or  a  Caesar,  a  Turenne  or  a  Napoleon,  a  Marl- 
borough  or  a  Wellington — worthy  of  a  WASHINGTON. 

Governor's  Island  was  abandoned  two  days  after,  so  that 
the  entire  force,  then  under  the  immediate  command  of 
Washington,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  detachments 
in  the  garrisons  along  the  Jersey  shore,  was  concentrated 
on  the  island  of  New  York.  In  all  these  laborious  and 
fatiguing  operations,  during  which  there  was  no  rest,  for 
mind  or  body,  to  the  commander  or  any  of  his  principal 
officers,  the  activity,  energy,  and  unwearied  industry  of 
General  Putnam,  were  everywhere  seen  and  felt.  And, 
although  as  commander  of  the  abandoned  post,  he  was 
retiring  from  a  lost  field,  it  is  certain  that  he  had  lost  no 
thing  of  the  confidence  or  respect  of  his  superior,  who  had 
been  present  during  a  part  of  the  engagement,  and  wit 
nessed  the  difficulties  of  his  position,  and  the  judgment 
with  which  he  had  conducted  his  arrangements  for  de 
fence.  In  the  subsequent  dispositions  of  the  army,  as 
will  be  seen,  he  was  still  assigned  to  the  post  of  difficulty 
and  danger,  which  is  always  the  post  of  honor. 

*  This  was  the  number  that  joined  in  the  retreat,  five  battalions 
having 'gone  over  from  New  York,  on  the  27th,  after  the  engagement. 
The  whole  number  on  the  island,  at  the  time  of  the  battle,  was  seven 
thousand  seven  hundred — the  British  being  considerably  more  than 
twice  as  many. 


CHAPTER    XIX. 


RETREAT    OF    THE    CONTINENTAL     ARMY     FROM    NEW    YORK. 

Extension  of  the  British  lines  on  Long  Island — Preparations  to  attack 
New  York — Washington  prepares  to  abandon  the  city — Overruled 
by  his  council — Division  of  the  army — Putnam  commanding  the 
rear  division  in  the  city — A  second  council  advises  its  abandon 
ment—Sir  Henry  Clinton  lands  at  Kip's  Bay— Dastardly  conduct 
of  the  American  soldiers — Imminent  exposure  of  Washington — 
He  establishes  his  Head-Gluarters  on  the  Heights  of  Haerlem— 
Putnam,  with  his  division,  commences  his  retreat — His  extraor 
dinary  exertions — Stratagem  to  detain  the  enemy — Mrs.  Murray — 
Narrow  escape  of  the  division — General  Howe's  position — The 
American  posts — Successful  skirmish  with  the  enemy — Colonel 
Knowlton  slain — Major  Leitch  mortally  wounded — Character  of 
Knowlton— Happy  effect  of  this  little  success. 

THE  British  General  took  immediate  possession  of  all  the 
fortified  posts  on  Long  Island,  extended  the  line  north 
wardly  to  Hell  Gate,  and  put  the  whole  in  a  condition  to 
render  him  effective  service.  The  two  armies  were  sepa 
rated  only  by  the  East  River,  on  both  sides  of  which  were 
batteries,  which  now  kept  up  a  continual  cannonade  upon 
each  other ;  the  exposed  lines  extending  nearly  to  the 
Heights  of  Haerlem,  a  distance  of  about  nine  miles. 

Dispositions  were  immediately  made  to  attack  New 
York  on  every  side.  A  part  of  the  fleet  sailed  round 
Long  Island,  and  made  their  appearance  in  the  Sound. 
Two  frigates  passed  up  the  East  river,  receiving  but  little 
injury  from  the  batteries,  and  anchored  behind  a  small 
island,  which  protected  them  from  the  American  guns. 
11* 


250  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

At  the  same  time,  the  main  body  of  the  fleet  lay  at  anchor, 
close  in  with  Governor's  Island — now  in  the  hands  of  the 
British — ready  to  pass  up  either  the  North  or  the  East 
River,  or  both,  and  act  against  any  part  of  tha  American 
lines. 

These  movements,  indicating  a  purpose,  rather  to  effect 
a  landing  above,  and  gain  his  rear,  and  thus  cut  off  his 
communication  with  the  country,  than  to  attack  him  in 
his  post,  General  Washington  began  at  once  to  remove 
such  stores  as  were  not  immediately  necessary,  and  to 
prepare  for  an  instant  evacuation  of  the  city.  In  the  latter 
movement,  he  was  overruled  by  the  decision  of  a  council 
of  general  officers,  which  was  summoned  on  the  seventh 
of  September,  to  advise  him  in  the  present  exigency. 
His  own  opinion,  in  which  Generals  Putnam,  Greene,  and 
a  further  respectable  minority  coincided,  was  in  favor  of 
un  immediate  removal.  The  majority,  however,  while 
they  regarded  the  post  as  ultimately  untenable,  advised 
that  a  middle  course  should  be  taken  between  abandon 
ing  the  city  entirely,  and  concentrating  their  whole  strength 
for  its  defence.  It  was,  consequently,  concluded  to  arrange 
the  army  under  three  divisions  ;  five  thousand  to  remain 
for  the  defence  of  the  city,  and  nine  thousand  at  King's 
Bridge  and  its  dependencies  ;  the  remainder  to  occupy  the 
intermediate  space,  and  be  in  readiness  to  support  either 
of  the  other  divisions,  in  case  of  an  attack. 

The  rear  division,  occupying  the  city,  was  under  the 
command  of  Major-General  Putnam.  Generals  Greene 
and  Spencer  were  assigned  to  the  centre  ;  but  the  whole 
command  of  that  division  devolved  upon  Spencer,  Greene 
not  having  recovered  sufficiently  to  appear  at  his  post. 
General  Heath  commanded  the  advance. 

In  this  position  they  remained  five  days — days  of  watch 
ing,  weariness,  and  incessant  exertion — during  which  the 


AMERICANS     DISGRACED     AT     Kip's     BAY        251 

movements  of  the  enemy  were  such,  as  to  compel  the 
officers  to  change  their  opinion.  Everything  indicated  an 
immediate  attack  upon  some  quarter,  though  it  was  impos 
sible  to  decide  what  point  they  would  choose  for  the  assault. 
It  was  resolved  in  council  on  the  12th,  to  abandon  the 
city  altogether.  From  this  opinion,  Generals  Spencer, 
George  Clinton,  and  Heath  still  dissented.  In  the  mean 
time,  the  utmost  diligence  had  been  used  to  remove  the 
stores  to  a  place  of  safety — a  work  which  was  attended 
with  the  greatest  difficulty,  the  British  ships  having  taken 
so  many  positions  in  the  two  rivers,  as  to  render  the  com 
munication  by  water  of  no  avail. 

Meanwhile,  active  preparations  were  made  for  the  re 
treat.  On  Sunday,  the  fifteenth,  those  preparations  were 
suddenly  precipitated,  by  a  decided  demonstration  on  the 
part  of  the  enemy.  Under  cover  of  a  heavy  fire  from  the 
ships  lying  in  the  East  River,  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  with 
four  thousand  men,  passed  over  from  the  head  of  Newtown 
Inlet,  and  effected  a  landing  in  Kip's  bay,  about  three 
miles  above -the  city.  The  works  at  this  place  were  of 
sufficient  strength  to  have  withstood  the  advance  of  the 
enemy  for  a  considerable  time,  if  the  force  stationed  there 
had  been  disposed  to  offer  resistance.  But  they  abandon 
ed  them  at  once,  without  waiting  for  an  attack.  Two 
brigades  from  General  Putnam's  division,  commanded  by 
Parsons  and  Fellows,  being  ordered  to  their  support, 
infected  with  the  same  panic,  broke  in  the  utmost  disorder 
on  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  and  fled.  Their  command 
ers  made  every  effort  to  rally  them,  but  in  vain.  Wash 
ington  himself,  who  flew  to  the  spot,  was  equally  unsuc 
cessful  in  his  endeavors  to  arrest  their  flight,  and  bring 
them  back  to  their  duty.  He  was  so  incensed  with  their 
dastardly  conduct,  that  he  drew  his  sword,  and  threatened 
them  with  death,  if  they  did  not  turn  and  face  the  enemy. 


252  LIFE     OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

But  they  heeded  neither  menaces  nor  entreaties,  flying 
with  such  indecent  haste,  as  to  leave  their  General  in  a 
most  exposed  and  perilous  situation,  from  which  he  was 
only  extricated  by  some  of  his  immediate  attendants  seiz 
ing  his  bridle,  and  turning  his  horse's  head  from  the 
enemy. 

Orders  were  now  given  to  occupy  the  heights  of  Haer- 
lem,  where  it  was  resolved  to  concentrate  the  whole  force 
of  the  army,  and  make  a  desperate  stand  against  the  ad 
vance  of  the  enemy.  To  that  place  the  Head-Quarters 
of  the  Commander-in-chief  were  removed,  his  own  resi 
dence  being  at  the  house  of  Colonel  Morris,  about  a  mile 
and  a  half  below  Fort  Washington,  and  nearly  midway 
between  the  Haerlem  River  and  the  Hudson. 

About  the  same  time  that  the  landing  was  effected  at 
Kip's  Bay,  three  ships  of  war  moved  up  the  North  River 
to  Bloomingdale,  and  commenced  offensive  operations 
there.  In  the  meantime,  General  Putnam,  with  the  rem 
nant  of  his  division,  which  was  strengthened  rather  than 
weakened  by  the  absence  of  the  two  brigades  that  had  so 
shamefully  deserted  their  commander  at  Kip's  Bay,  was 
at  his  post  in  the  city.  It  was  every  hour  growing  more 
and  more  perilous,  as  the  forces  of  the  enemy,  taking  one 
position  after  another,  were  closing  around  it.  The  retreat 
was  ordered  at  the  last  critical  moment,  in  which  it  was 
possible  to  have  effected  it.  The  enemy,  by  the  advan 
tage  so  basely  given  them  at  Kip's  Bay,  already  had  pos 
session  of  the  main  road,  on  the  east  side  of  the  island, 
•which  made  it  necessary  to  take  the  route  by  Blooming- 
dale.  That  route,  also,  as  we  have  seen,  was  now  expos 
ed,  in  one  point  at  least,  to  a  raking  fire  from  the  ships  in 
the  North  River. 

Calling  in  his  pickets  and  guards,  Putnam  set  his  bri 
gades  in  motion.  The  day  was  oppressively  hot,  and  the 


Ilk, 


aiVERSVTV  1 
ivMivC"*^  'i 

V  •*  ^  r-  /X 


MRS.      MURRAY.  253 

men  suffered  so  severely  from  fatigue  and  thirst,  that  they 
could  scarcely  have  made  a  very  resolute  defence,  if  the 
enemy  had  attempted  to  cut  off  their  retreat.  Some  faint 
ed  by  the  way,  and  some  died  at  the  brooks,  where  they 
halted  to  drink,  by  indulging  in  that  luxury  to  excess. 
Col.  Humphreys,  who  was  at  this  time  in  Putnam's  divi 
sion,  and  acting  Adjutant  to  the  last  regiment  that  left  the 
city,  writes  thus  of  the  conduct  of  his  general,  on  that  occa 
sion  :  "  I  had  frequent  opportunities,  that  day,  of  beholding 
him,  for  the  purpose  of  issuing  orders,  and  encouraging  his 
troops,  flying  on  his  horse,  covered  with  foam,  wherever 
his  presence  was  necessary.  Without  his  extraordinary 
exertions,  the  guards  must  inevitably  have  been  lost  ;  and 
it  is  probable  the  entire  corps  would  have  been  cut  in 
pieces.  When  we  were  not  far  from  Bloomingdale,  an 
aide-de-camp  came  from  him  at  full  speed,  to  inform  us 
that  a  column  of  British  infantry  was  descending  upon  our 
right.  Our  rear  was  soon  fired  upon,  and  the  colonel  of 
our  regiment,  whose  order  was  just  communicated  for  the 
front  to  file  off  to  the  left,  was  killed  on  the  spot." 

The  force  under  Putnam's  command  at  this  time  was 
about  three  thousand.-  They  were  encumbered  with 
wives,  children,  and  all  kinds  of  hangers-on  ;  with  a  great 
variety  of  baggage,  tools,  camp  utensils,  and  all  the  num 
berless  and  nameless  et  cetera,  wrhich  the  ancient  Romans 
embraced  under  the  appropriate  and  comprehensive  term, 
impediments.  These,  together  with  the  extreme  heat  of 
the  weather,  the  narrowness  of  their  routes,  and  the 
perils  which  surrounded  them,  rendered  the  retreat  an 
arduous  and  difficult  achievement. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  having  met  with  nothing  to  hinder 
his  landing,  or  employ  his  troops  at  Kip's  bay,  immedi 
ately  put  them  in  motion,  to  cut  off  the  retreat  of  Putnam 
—whose  men  he  supposed  were  of  the  same  class  of  sol- 


254  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

diers,  with  those  he  had  just  encountered,  and,  therefore, 
little  to  be  feared,  whatever  might  be  their  numbers,  or  by 
whomsoever  they  might  be  led.  In  attempting  to  effect 
this  object,  he  was  obliged  to  pass  under  the  eastern  side 
of  Murray  Hill,  where  was  the  residence  of  a  well  known 
and  worthy  old  Quaker  lady — a  true-hearted  American 
woman,  and  the  mother  of  Lindley  Murray,  the  celebrated 
grammarian.  Feeling  that,  with  his  enemy  several  miles 
in  advance,  he  could  not  hope  to  escape  him,  without  the 
aid  of  some  well  managed  diversion,  Putnam  sent  one  of 
his  Aids  to  Mrs.  Murray,  requesting  her,  if  possible,  to 
detain  General  Clinton,  by  offering  to  him  and  his  staff  the 
hospitalities  of  her  house,  and  entertaining  his  officers,  till 
the  Americans  should  have  gained  the  point  of  the  hill. 

Mrs.  Murray  was  well  known  to  many  of  the  British 
officers,  and  her  polite  invitation  to  halt  at  her  door,  and 
take  a  friendly  glass  of  wine,  was  very  courteously  accept 
ed.  The  quality  of  the  wine  was  excellent.  The  society 
and  conversation  of  the  ladies  was  an  agreeable  episode  to 
the  stirring  scenes  of  war,  and  the  hour  flew  by,  before 
they  were  aware  that  it  had  begun  to  wane.  At  length  a 
faithful  negro  servant,  whom  she  had  stationed  at  the  look 
out  on  the  top  of  the  house,  entered  the  parlor,  made  a 
sign  to  his  mistress,  and  instantly  retired.  Upon  this, 
Mrs.  Murray,  rising  with  the  true  dignity  of  an  American 
matron,  requested  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  follow  her,  as  she 
had  something  interesting  to  show  him.  Ascending  to  the 
look-out,  she  pointed  out  to  him  the  banner  of  Freedom, 
proudly  waving  amid  the  columns  of  the  retiring  army; 
which  had  now  gained  the  northern  side  of  the  hill,  and 
was  moving  in  close  array,  into  the  open  plains  of  Bloom- 
ingdale.  Without  waiting  for  the  ordinary  etiquette  of 
leave-taking,  the  disconcerted  General  rushed  down, 
sprang  upon  his  horse,  and  gave  orders  for  instant  pursuit- 


HOWE     TAKES     POSSESSION    OF    NEW    YORK.    255 

It  was  a  beautiful  piece  of  strategy,  delicately  managed, 
and  ably  executed,  and  proved  the  turning  point  in  the 
fate  of  Putnam's  division.  Says  Humphreys  :  "  Before 
our  brigades  came  in,  we  were  given  up  for  lost  by  all  our 
friends.  So  critical,  indeed,  was  our  situation,  and  so 
narrow  the  gap  by  which  we  escaped,  that  the  instant  we 
had  passed,  the  enemy  closed  it  by  extending  their  line 
from  river  to  river."  But  for  the  delay  at  Murray  Hill, 
the  extension  of  this  line  would  inevitably  have  cut  off  the 
rear,  and  perhaps  brought  on  a  general  engagement. 
The  British  were  now  landing  in  force  at  all  the  deserted 
posts.  Their  numbers,  already  greatly  superior  to  their 
foes,  were  constantly  increasing  ;  and  any  attempt  to 
accept  their  offer  of  battle,  would  have  shown  an  utter 
destitution  of  "  the  better  part  of  valor."  But,  though 
there  was  no  regular  fighting,  there  was  necessarily,  as  an 
accompaniment  to  a  difficult  retreat,  and  a  close  pursuit, 
considerable  skirmishing,  sharp-shooting,  and  other  mutual 
annoyances.  General  Putnam's  loss  was  not  inconsidera 
ble,  having  fifteen  killed,  and  three  hundred  taken  prison 
ers.  Nearly  all  the  heavy  cannon,  and  a  considerable 
quantity  of  baggage,  stores  and  provisions,  were  also  left 
behind,  and  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  Most  of 
this  might  have  been  saved,  had  General  Clinton  been 
detained  at  Kip's  -bay,  by  a  tolerable  defence  of  that 
post. 

General  Howe  now  took  formal  possession  of  New 
York,  posting  a  small  force  in  the  city,  for  the  preserva 
tion  of  order,  and  the  defence  of  his  rear,  and  planting  the 
main  body  of  his  army  at  the  upper  end  of  the  island,  near 
the  American  lines.  His  right  was  at  Horen's  Hook,  on 
the  East  River,  his  left  extending  to  the  Hudson,  near 
Bloomingdale — making  a  continuous  encampment  from 


256  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

river  to  river,  two  miles  in  extent — both  flanks  being  cover 
ed  by  the  ships. 

The  Americans  were  strongly  posted  at  King's  Bridge, 
the  natural  position  of  the  place  being  favorable  for  works 
of  defence.  There  was  also  a  strong  force  at  Morris's 
Heights  ;  and  another  at  Haerlem  and  McGowan's  Pass, 
within  about  a  mile  and  a  half  of  the  British  lines.  Each 
of  these  posts  was  so  fortified,  as  to  be  supposed  capable 
of  being  defended  against  superior  numbers.  The  distance 
between  Haerlem  and  King's  Bridge  is  between  five  and 
six  miles — Morris's  Heights  being  nearly  half  way  be 
tween.  Of  the  advanced  posts,  General  Putnam  com 
manded  the  right  at  McGowan's  Pass,  and  General  Spen 
cer  the  left,  at  Haerlem. 

It  was  Washington's  desire,  to  embrace  every  opportu 
nity  to  give  his  men  some  active  service,  without  bringing 
on  a  general  engagement.  By  thus  habituating  them,  in  a 
series  of  skirmishes,  to  meet  the  enemy  in  the  field,  he 
hoped  to  show  them  what  they  were  capable  of  doing,  and 
encourage  them  to  entertain  confidence  in  themselves 
An  opportunity  was  soon  offered  to  gratify  this  desire. 

The  day  after  the  retreat  from  New  York,  several  par 
ties  of  the  enemy  appeared  in  the  plains  between  the  two 
camps.*  On  receiving  intelligence  of  this  movement,  Gene 
ral  Washington  rode  quickly  to  the  out-posts,  to  order 
the  necessary  dispositions  to  meet  it.  Soon  after  his 
arrival,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Knowlton,  of  the  Continental 
division,  and  one  of  Putnam's  bravest  officers,  who,  with 
a  fine  corps  of  Yankee  Rangers,  had  been  skirmishing 
with  one  of  the  advanced  parties  of  the  enemy,  came  in 
and  reported  their  numbers  at  about  three  hundred.  Some 
of  them  were  concealed  in  a  wood,  in  the  rear  of  a  small 
eminence.  The  General  ordered  Knowlton,  with  his 
rangers,  assisted  by  Major  Leitch,  with  three  companies 


FALL     OF      KNOWLTON     AND     LEITCH.       257 

from  Weedon's  regiment  of  Virginians,  to  make  an  effort 
to  gain  their  rear,  and  cut  them  off,  or  bring  them  in  as 
prisoners  ;  while,  to  divert  them  from  this  movement, 
another  party  should  attack  them  in  front. 

As  soon  as  this  attack  was  attempted,  the  British  re 
treated  with  some  precipitation,  in  order  to  secure  a  more 
advantageous  position,  under  cover  of  some  fences  and 
bushes,  which  skirted  the  hill.  A  brisk  but  distant  and 
ineffectual  fire  immediately  commenced.  In  the  mean 
time,  Colonel  Knowlt.on,  who  had  not  been  informed  of 
this  new  position  of  the  enemy,  having  made  his  circuit, 
came  upon  them  with  great  bravery,  but,  unfortunately, 
rather  in  flank  than  in  rear.  A  warm  action  ensued. 
Major  Leitch  was  soon  brought  from  the  field,  severely 
wounded  in  three  places.  The  gallant  Knowlton  fell, 
mortally  wounded,  soon  after.  Their  men,  notwithstand 
ing  the  loss  of  their  commanders,  stood  their  ground,  and 
maintained  the  conflict  with  the  greatest  resolution,  under 
the  lead  of  their  brave  and  experienced  captains.  Being 
reinforced  from  the  camp,  they  charged  the  enemy  with 
such  intrepidity,  as  to  compel  him  to  leave  his  covert ; 
and  would  have  driven  him  from  the  field  altogether,  had 
not  General  Howe  sent  a  battalion  of  Hessian  grenadiers 
and  a  company  of  chasseurs  to  his  aid.  Not  wishing  to 
bring  on  a  general  action,  or  expose  himself  to  unnecessary 
loss,  Washington  ordered  a  retreat. 

In  this  affair,  the  loss  of  the  British  was  ascertained  to 
be  about  a  hundred.  That  of  the  Americans  was  not 
half  that  number  ;  but  the  difference  was  more  than  bal 
anced  by  the  fall  of  the  two  brave  leaders,  Knowlton  and 
Leitch.  The  former  was  a  special  favorite  with  General 
Putnam.  He  was  trained  up  under  his  own  eye,  having 
entered  the  army, 'under  his  command,  at  the  early  age  of 
sixteen,  and  served  with  him  in  most  of  those  brilliant 


258  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

affairs,  which  distinguished  his  name  in  the  Seven  Years' 
War.  He  was  with  him  in  the  forest  of  Wood  Creek, 
where  he  was  taken  prisoner.  He  was  with  him  in  the 
expedition  to  Montreal,  under  General  Amherst ;  and  in 
the  closing  scene  of  that  protracted  conflict,  the  expedition 
to  Havana  ; — having  been  promoted  through  all  the 
grades,  from  a  private  to  a  lieutenancy,  before  he  was 
twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  was  one  of  the  foremost, 
under  his  old  commander,  to  rush  to  the  rescue,  on  the 
breaking  out  of  hostilities  at  Lexington  ;  and  was  the 
General's  right  hand  man  in  the  skirmish  at  Noddle  Island, 
and  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  He  was  also  in  the  heat 
of  the  action  on  Long  Island,  and  effected  his  escape  with 
great  difficulty.  He  entered  the  Revolutionary  service  as 
a  captain,  and,  in  less  than  a  year,  had  risen  to  a  lieuten 
ant-colonelcy.  Colonel  Burr,  who  was  intimately  ac 
quainted  with  him,  and  sometimes  associated  with  him  in 
service,  remarked  that  "  it  was  impossible  to  promote 
such  an  officer  too  rapidly."  He  lived  an  hour  after  his 
fall,  and  had  the  satisfaction  of  receiving  from  the  lips  of 
Washington,  an  unqualified  commendation  of  his  conduct 
on  all  occasions  ;  and  from  Putnam  the  assurance  that  to 
him,  and  his  division,  his  loss  was  irreparable.  He  died 
at.  the  age  of  thirty-six,  lamented  by  the  army  and  the 
country,  but  by  no  one  more  than  the  General,  who  had 
trained  him  to  war,  and  knew  how  well  he  could  rely 
upon  him  in  the  most  trying  exigencies  of  the  service. 

This  little  skirmish,  though  attended  with  so  serious-  a 
loss,  had  an  important  effect  upon  the  American  army. 
It  encouraged  them  to  face  the  enemy  boldly,  and  to  be 
lieve  themselves  capable  of  victory,  under  all  the  inequali 
ties  of  their  condition.  They  had  wiped  away  the  stain 
of  the  previous  day,  and  they  resolved*  that  no  such  das 
tardly  act  should  again  tarnish  the  name  of  the  defenders 


HONOR     TO      THE      BRAVE.  259 

of  liberty.  To  encourage  this  sentiment,  as  well  as  to  do 
justice  to  his  able  and  faithful  soldiers,  Washington  pub 
licly  commended  their  conduct  in  the  following 

"ORDERS. 

"Head  Quarters,  Haerlem  Heights,  Sept.  17,  1776. 
"  Parole,  Leilch  ;  countersign,  Virginia. 

li  The  General  most  heartily  thanks  the  troops,  com 
manded  yesterday  by  Major  Leitch,  who  first  advanced 
upon  the  enemy,  and  the  others  who  so  resolutely  sup 
ported  them.  The  behavior  yesterday  was  such  a  con 
trast  to  that  of  some  of  the  troops  the  day  before,  as  must 
show  what  may  be  done,  where  officers  and  soldiers  will 
exert  themselves.  Once  more,  therefore,  the  General 
calls  upon  officers  and  men,  to  act  up  to  the  noble  cause 
in  which  they  are  engaged,  and  to  support  the  honor  and 
liberties  of  their  country. 

"  The  gallant  and  brave  Colonel  Knowlton,  who  would 
have  been  an  honor  to  any  country,  having  fallen  yester 
day,  while  gloriously  fighting,  Captain  Brown  is  to  take 
command  of  the  party,  lately  led  by  Colonel  Knowlton. 
Officers  and  men  are  to  obey  him  accordingly." 

If  the  army  of  the  Revolution  had  been  composed,  in 
chief,  of  such  men  as  these,  the  contest  would  have  been 
of  shorter  duration,  and  the  toils  and  anxieties  of  the  gene 
ral  officers  infinitely  less  severe.  But,  unfortunately,  they 
were  mostly  of  a  different  class,  while  the  circumstances 
and  terms,  under  which  they  engaged  in  the  war,  rendered 
them  far  less  serviceable  and  trustworthy,  than  the  same 
men  might  have  been  under  a  different  system.  An  ex 
tract  from  one  of  Washington's  letters  of  this  period,  ad 
dressed  to  the  President  of  Congress,  will  show  the  matter 
at  a  glance  :  "  To  place  any  dependence  upon  militia  is 


260  LIFE     OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

assuredly  resting  upon  a  broken  staff.  Men,  just  dragged 
from  the  tender  scenes  of  domestic  life,  unaccustomed  to 
the  din  of  arms,  totally  unacquainted  with  every  kind  of 
military  skill  (which  is  followed  by  a  want  of  confidence 
in  themselves,  when  opposed  to  troops  regularly  trained, 
disciplined,  and  appointed,  superior  in  knowledge,  and 
superior  in  arms),  are  timid,  and  ready  to  fly  from  their 
own  shadows.  Besides,  the  sudden  change  in  their  man 
ner  of  living  brings  on  an  unconquerable  desire  to  return 
to  their  homes,  and  produces  the  most  shameful  and  scan 
dalous  desertions.  Again,  men  accustomed  to  unbounded 
freedom,  cannot  brook  the  restraint,  which  is  indispensably 
necessary  to  the  good  order  and  government  of  an  army, 
without  which,  licentiousness  and  every  kind  of  disorder 
triumphantly  reign." 

Such  were  the  unpromising  materials,  out  of  which  these 
able  officers  were  compelled  to  fashion  an  army,  to  resist 
the  best  troops  of  the  most  powerful  nation  on  the  globe. 
It  must  be  admitted  that  none  but  the  most  able  and  com 
petent  officers,  with  a  righteous  cause  to  sustain,  could 
have  accomplished  the  herculean  task. 


CHAPTER    XX. 


LOSS    OF    FORT    WASHINGTON,   AND    RETREAT    THROUGH 
NEW   JERSEY. 

An  attack  expected— Annoying  the  enemy — Plunderers — Howe  at 
tempts  to  gain  the  rear  of  the  American  army — Lands  at  Frog's 
Point — Advances  towards  New  Rochelle — The  American  lines — 
Skirmishes  of  Colonels  Haslet  and  Hand — General  McDougall's 
post  at  Chatterton's  Hill — Assaulted  and  carried — Putnam  marches 
to  reinforce  him,  but  arrives  too  late — Washington  retires  to  North 
Castle — Howe  turns  towards  New  York — Fort  Independence 
evacuated — Putnam  ordered  into  New  Jersey — Loss  of  Fort 
Washington — Cornwallis  crosses  the  North  River — Retreat  of  the 
American  army,  step  by  step,  to  the  Delaware — Discouraging 
prospects — Firmness  of  Washington,  and  good  conduct  of  Put- 


THE  British  commander,  aware  of  the  advantages  which 
his  enemy  would  derive  from  a  series  of  partisan  skir 
mishes,  under  cover  of  his  intrenchments,  was  as  desirous 
to  bring  on  a  general  engagement,  as  Washington  was  to 
avoid  it.  The  latter,  sensible  of  his  great  inferiority  in 
numbers,  discipline,  experience,  and  equipment,  was,  at 
the  same  time,  confident  in  the  strength  of  his  defences, 
and  his  ability  to  repel,  with  advantage,  any  assault  that 
might  be  made  upon  them.  He,  therefore,  prudently  con 
tented  himself  with  annoying  and  weakening  his  adver- 
Mtry,  whenever  opportunity  offered,  rather  than  by  bolder 
and  more  brilliant  movements,  hazarding  his  whole  cause 
upon  one  cast  of  the  die.  In  constant  readiness  for  an 
attack,  which,  if  made  anywhere,  was  to  be  expected  at 


262  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

the  advanced  post,  at  McGowan's  Pass,  where  General 
Putnam  was  stationed,  he  gave  orders  to  General  Spencer, 
who  commanded  at  Haerlem,  to  be  prepared  to  reinforce 
that  Pass,  at  a  moment's  warning.  But  the  enemy  pru 
dently  refrained  from  any  attempt  upon  the  defences. 

Among  the  multitude  of  cares  which  bore  upon  the 
mind  of  General  Washington,  at  this  period,  was  the  pro 
tection  of  the  property  of  American  citizens — especially 
that  of  persons  known,  or  supposed,  to  be  attached  to  the 
royal  cause.  The  army  was  composed,  in  great  part,  of 
men  who  made  no  scruple  of  plundering  whatever  they 
could  lay  their  hands  upon,  and  burning,  or  otherwise 
destroying,  what  they  could  not  carry  away.  Every  effort 
was  made,  on  the  part  of  the  General,  to  punish  and  sup 
press  this  spirit  of  rapacity,  but  the  means  within  his 
power  were  hardly  adequate  to  the  end.  On  the  24th  of 
September,  he  addressed  a  strong  representation  to  Con 
gress  on  the  subject.  "  Of  late,"  says  he,  "  a  practice 
prevails  of  the  most  alarming  nature,  and  which  will,  if  it 
cannot  be  checked,  prove  fatal  both  to  the  country  and  the 
army — I  mean  the  infamous  practice  of  plundering.  For, 
under  the  idea  of  Tory  property,  or  property  that  may 
fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  no  man  is  secure  in  his 
effects,  and  scarcely  in  his  person.  In  order  to  get  at 
them,  we  have  several  instances  of  people  being  frightened 
out  of  their  houses,  under  pretence  of  those  houses  being 
ordered  to  be  burnt ;  and  this  is  done  with  a  view  of  seiz 
ing  the  goods.  Nay,  in  order  that  the  villainy  may  be 
more  effectually  concealed,  some  houses  have  actually 
been  burned  to  cover  the  theft.  I  have,  with  some  others, 
used  my  utmost  endeavors  to  stop  this  horrid  practice." 
In  these  endeavors,  he  was  constantly  and  zealously  aided 
by  General  Putnam,  who  abhorred  every  species  of  rob 
bery  and  injustice  ;  and  who,  in  the  discharge  of  the  corn- 


THE     BRITISH     LAND     AT     FROG'S     POINT.    263 

mon  duties  of  equity  and  humanity,  recognized  no  differ 
ence  between  patriot  and  tory,  or  friend  and  foe.  His 
good  offices,  in  this  respect,  secured  for  him  the  confidence 
and  respect  of  many  among  the  enemies  of  his  cause ; 
while  some  of  his  own  countrymen,  whose  party  prejudices 
obscured  their  sense  of  private  right,  did  not  hesitate  to 
condemn  a  virtue,  to  which  they  did  not  pretend  to  aspire. 

General  Howe,  finding  that  he  could  neither  force  the 
American  defences,  nor  decoy  them  into  an  action  where 
all  the  advantage  would  be  on  his  side,  resolved  to  make 
another  effort  to  gain  their  rear,  cut  them  off  from  all  sup 
plies,  and  so  compel  them  to  an  unconditional  surrender. 
With  this  view,  leaving  a  sufficient  force  below  for  the 
protection  of  New  York,  he  sent  several  frigates  up  the 
North  River,  which  came  to  an  anchor  at  some  distance 
above  Fort  Washington — having  passed  the  batteries  at 
that  place  and  Fort  Lee,  without  material  damage.  A 
few  days  after,  on  the  12th  of  October,  he  embarked  a 
great  part  of  his  army  in  flat  bottomed  boats,  and,  passing 
through  Hell  Gate  into  the  Sound,  landed  at  Frog's 
Point,  near  the  town  of  Westchester,  about  nine  miles 
above  the  camp  on  the  Heights  of  Haerlem. 

Frog's  Neck  is  covered  with  water,  at  full  tide  ;  and 
the  Point,  on  which  the  British  had  landed,  was  connect 
ed  with  the  main  by  bridges.  These  bridges  the  Ame 
ricans  took  good  care  to  destroy ;  at  the  same  time, 
throwing  up  some  slight  works,  to  obstruct  the  enemy  in 
his  march.  The  road  from  this  place  to  King's  Bridge, 
led  through  a  difficult  country,  intersected  everywhere  by 
stone  walls  ;  rendering  the  passage  of  artillery,  or  even  of 
infantry  in  compact  order,  almost  impracticable. 

On  the  18th,  General  Howe,  being  strongly  reinforced, 
moved  forward,  with  all  his  force,  to  New  Rochelle. 
Some  skirmishing  took  place  on  the  march,  in  which  the 


264  LIFE     OP     GENERAL     PUTNAM, 

Americans  fought  with  great  bravery,  and  gained  some  ad 
vantages.  At  New  Rochelle,  the  British  army  was  still  fur 
ther  strengthened,  and  soon  commenced  a  movement  towards 
White  Plains.  The  main  body  of  the  American  troops 
formed  a  long  line  of  intrenched  camps,  extending  from 
twelve  to  thirteen  miles,  on  the  different  heights  from  Va 
lentine's  Hill,  near  King's  Bridge,  to  White  Plains,  front 
ing  the  British  line  of  march,  and  the  River  Bronx,  which 
divided  the  two  armies. 

It  was  while  the  two  armies  were  watching  each  other 
in  this  position,  that  Colonel  Haslet  succeeded  in  surpris 
ing  Colonel  Rogers,*  "  the  late  worthless  Major,"  as  he 
calls  him,  at  Mamaroneck,  taking  thirty-six  prisoners,  a 
pair  of  colors,  sixty  stand  of  arms,  and  other  valuable 
booty.  About  the  same  time,  Colonel  Hand,  with  a  regi 
ment  of  Pennsylvanian  riflemen,  engaged  an  equal  number 
of  Hessian  cJiasscurs,  with  considerable  advantage. 

General  Washington  was  encamped  on  high  broken 
ground,  his  right  flank  resting  on  the  Bronx,  which,  by  a 
bold  curve  at  this  place,  covered  also  the  front  of  his 
right  wing,  extending  along  the  road  towards  New  Ro 
chelle,  as  far  as  the  brow  of  the  hill  on  which  his  centre 
was  posted.  His  left,  forming  almost  a  right  angle  with 
his  centre,  and  nearlj'  parallel  to  his  right,  extended  along 
the  hills  northward,  so  as  to  keep  possession  of  the  com 
manding  ground,  and  secure  a  retreat,  should  it  be  neces 
sary,  to  a  still  stronger  position  in  his  rear.  General 
McDougall,  with  a  detachment  of  sixteen  hundred  men, 
principally  militia,  occupied  Chatterton's  Hill,  on  the  west 
side  of  the  Bronx,  about  a  mile  from  the  camp.  The 
river  being  fordable  at  that  place,  his  communication  with 
the  main  army  was  open. 

General  Howe    having  advanced  in  force,  on  the  28th, 
*  Appendix,  No.  1. 


ACTION    AT    CHATTERTON'S    HILL.     265 

to  attack  General  Washington  in  his  camp,  determined,  as 
a  measure  preliminary  to  a  general  assault,  to  dislodge 
General  McDougall  from  this  post.  He,  therefore,  directed 
Colonel  Rahl,  with  a  brigade  of  Hessians,  to  make  a  circuit 
so  as  to  gain  his  rear,  while  Brigadier-General  Leslie, 
with  u  strong  corps  of  British  and  Hessian  troops,  should 
attack  him  in  front.  This  being  done  with  great  vigor,  the 
militia  in  the  front  rank  immediately  gave  way ;  but  Colo 
nel  Haslet's  Delaware  regiment,  Colonel  Smalhvood's 
Maryland  battalion,  and  Colonel  Reitzimer's  New  York 
corps,  advanced  boldly,  and  in  good  order,  to  meet  the 
foe,  and  gallantly  defended  their  post,  till  they  were  over 
powered  by  numbers;  when  they  reluctantly  retired,  keep 
ing  up,  in  their  retreat,  an  irregular,  but  not  ineffectual 
fire,  from  behind  the  stone  walls  that  lined  the  way 
General  Putnam,  receiving  orders  to  support  General 
McDougall,  hastened  to  the  scene  of  action,  with  a  con 
siderable  detachment.  But  the  post  was  already  aban 
doned  to  the  enemy,  and  its  late  defenders  were  met  in 
full  retreat  towards  the  camp.  Notwithstanding  this  rein 
forcement,  it  was  deemed  unadvisable  to  attempt  to 
regain  the  hill,  and  all  moved  on,  in  order,  to  rejoin  the 
main  army. 

The  loss  in  this  action  has  been  variously  stated  by  his 
torians.  The  most  probable  report  makes  that  of  the 
Americans  not  much  over  two  hundred,  with  nearly  double 
that  number  to  the  British. 

A  general  assault  was  now  momentarily  expected,  and 
every  arrangement  was  made  for  it  in  the  British  camp, 
the  whole  army  reposing  on  their  arms,  in  order  of  battle, 
during  the  night.  But,  perceiving  in  the  morning  that 
Washington  had  improved  the  night,  in  adding  to  the 
strength  of  his  works,  and  disposing  his  forces  to  better 
advantage  to  meet  the  expected  attack,  Howe  concluded 
12 


266  LIFE      OF      GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

to  postpone -further  offensive  operations,  till  the  arrival  of 
six  battalions,  which  had  been  ordered  up,  under  com 
mand  of  Lord  Percy.  A  violent  rain,  which  fell  imme 
diately  on  the  accession  of  this  reinforcement,  occasioned 
a  further  delay.  General  Washington,  having,  in  the 
meantime,  removed  his  provisions  and  heavy  baggage  to  a 
stronger  position  at  North  Castle,  about  five  miles  distant, 
availed  himself  of  the  darkness  of  the  night,  on  the  first  of 
November,  to  withdraw  his  whole  army  to  that  place 
Deeming  this  post  too  strong  to  be  attempted  with  pru 
dence,  General  Howe  changed  his  plans,  and  directed  his 
attention  to  Forts  Washington  and  Lee,  which,  being  still 
ably  garrisoned  by  the  Americans,  proved  a  check  upon 
the  contemplated  movements  of  the  British  commander, 
by  leaving  a  well-posted  enemy  in  his  rear.  His  first 
effort  was  against  Fort  Independence,  at  King's  Bridge, 
upon  which  a  descent  was  made  by  General  Knyphausen. 
The  garrison  abandoned  it  on  his  approach,  and  retreated 
to  Fort  Washington,  followed  by  Knyphausen,  who 
pitched  his  camp  between  the  two  forts.  In  the  mean 
time,  General  Howe,  with  his  whole  force,  retired  slowly 
down  the  North  River,  towards  New  York. 

Apprehending,  from  these  new  movements,  that  an  inva 
sion  into  New  Jersey  was  intended,  Washington  detached 
all  the  troops  belonging  to  the  States  west  of  the  Hudson, 
five  thousand  in  number,  under  command  of  General  Put 
nam,  to  provide  against  such  a  design.  They  crossed  the 
river  on  the  8th  of  November,  and  took  post  at  Hacken- 
sack,  which  they  reached  after  a  circuitous  route  of  sixty 
miles,  to  avoid  the  parties  of  the  enemy.  General  Greene 
was  in  command  at  Fort  Lee,  on  that  side  of  the  river, 
and  was  now  invested  with  discretionary  powers,  in  rela 
tion  to  the  defence  of  Fort  Washington,  on  the  New  York 
side,  towards  which  the  British  were  concentrating  their 


LOSS     OP      FORT     WASHINGTON,  287 

movements.  It  had  been  intended  and  resolved,  by  tbe 
strong  recommendations  of  Congress,  to  maintain  these 
two  posts  to  the  last  extremity,  The  Commander-in- 
chief  believed  that  this  last  extremity  had  already  come, 
and  that  it  was  vain  to  attempt  to  hold  them,  in  the  pre 
sent  position  of  affairs.  General  Greene  entertained  a  dif 
ferent  opinion,  in  which  he  appears  to  have  been  sustain 
ed  by  General  Putnam,  and  consequently  availed  himself 
of  the  discretion  allowed  him,  to  reinforce  Colonel  McGaw, 
with  directions  to  defend  the  post  at  every  hazard. 

General  Howe,  in  retiring  southward,  encamped  near 
King's  Bridge  on  the  13th.  On  the  15th,  he  summoned 
the  garrison  to  surrender,  on  pain  of  being  put  to  the 
sword.  Colonel  McGaw  replied,  with  becoming  manli 
ness,  that  he  should  defend  the  place  to  the  last  extremity  ; 
and  immediately  communicated  the  summons,  with  his 
answer,  to  General  Greene,  who  transmitted  them  to  the 
Commander-in-chief,  then  just  arrived  at  Hackensack. 
Washington  proceeded  at  once  to  Fort  Lee,  and,  though 
late  in  the  night,  was  hastening  over  to  Fort  Washington, 
whither  Generals  Putnam  and  Greene  had  already  gone. 
In  crossing  the  river,  however,  he  met  those  officers  on 
their  return.  They  reported  the  garrison  in  high  spirits, 
ready  and  able  to  make  a  good  defence,  and  General 
Washington  returned  with  them  to  Fort  Lee.  The  next 
day  the  fort  was  carried  by  storm,  with  a.  loss  of  nearly 
three  thousand  men,  by  far  the  most  severe  that  had  yet 
befallen  the  American  army.  The  loss  of  the  British  was 
about  eight  hundred. 

The  evacuation  of  Fort  Lee  was  a  necessary  conse 
quence  upon  the  loss  of  Fort  Washington,  and  immediate 
preparations  were  made  for  the  removal  of  the  stores. 
Before  this  could  be  completed,  however,  Lord  Cornwal- 
lis  had  crossed  the  North  River,  with  a  strong  detachment 


268  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

of  six  thousand  men,  and  made  an  attempt  to  enclose  the 
garrison,  upon  the  narrow  neck  of  land,  between  the  North 
and  Hackensack  Rivers.  By  a  rapid  and  well-conducted 
movement,  they  were  so  fortunate  as  to  escape,  with  all 
their  ammunition  and  small  arms  ;  their  heavy  cannon, 
with  several  hundred  tents,  a  large  quantity  of  baggage 
and  valuable  stores,  being  unavoidably  left  behind. 

The  retreat  across  the  Hackensack,  left  the  American 
army  in  a  position  but  little  better  than  that  which  they 
had  just  left.  The  Passaic  runs  nearly  parallel  with  that 
river  for  many  miles.  They  were  consequently  in  the 
same  danger,  as  before,  of  being  enclosed  between  two 
barriers,  which  it  would  be  difficult  to  pass.  There  was, 
therefore,  no  alternative  but  to  retreat  still  further  across 
the  Passaic.  Their  forces  were  daily  diminishing,  by  the 
withdrawal  of  great  numbers  of  the  militia,  who,  dispirited 
by  their  late  reverses,  returned  to  their  homes  as  fast  as 
their  terms  of  enlistment  expired,  so  that,  by  the  last  of 
November,  Washington  had  scarcely  three  thousand  men 
under  his  immediate  command.  These  were  exposed  in 
an  open  country,  amons;  a  part  of  the  people  by  no  means 
cordially  favorable  to  the  cause  of  Independence,  without 
intrenching  tools,  without  stores,  without  tents  to  shelter 
them  from  the  growing  inclemency  of  the  season. 

A  division  of  three  thousand  five  hundred  men,  under 
General  Heath,  had  been  stationed  among  the  Highlands, 
for  the  defence  of  the  Hudson,  and  the  mountain  passes. 
Another  division  of  four  thousand,  many  of  whom  were 
militia,  whose  term  of  service  was  soon  to  expire,  was 
left  in  the  camp  at  White  Plains,  commanded  by  General 
Lee,  with  discretionary  instructions,  to  continue  on  that 
side  of  the  Hudson,  or  to  follow  the  Commander-in-chief 
into  New  Jersey,  according  to  the  movements  of  the 
enemy 


GLOOMY      PROSPECTS.  269 

Newark,  New  Brunswick,  Princeton,  and  Trenton,  suc 
cessively  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  as  they  were 
successively  abandoned  by  the  retreating  "  phantom  of  an 
army  ;"  and,  finally,  on  the  eighth  of  December,  Washing 
ton  crossed  the  Delaware,  then  the  only  barrier  which  pre 
vented  the  British  from  taking  possession  of  Philadelphia. 
So  rapidly  had  the  pursuit  been  urged,  that  the  rear  of  one 
army  was  often  within  sight  and  shot  of  the  van  of  the  other  ; 
and  before  one  party  had  completed  the  destruction  of  the 
bridges,  by  which  they  fled,  the  other  had  commenced 
repairing  them  for  the  pursuit. 

It  was  the  darkest  period  in  the  history  of  the  Revolu 
tion.  The  campaign,  now  so  darkly  closed,  had  been  a 
continued  series  of  disasters  and  retreats.  The  enemy 
was  now  in  possession  of  Rhode  Island,  Long  Island,  the 
City  of  New  York,  Staten  Island,  and  almost  the  whole 
State  of  New  Jersey,  and  was  apparently  on  the  point  of 
extending  his  conquests  into  Pennsylvania.  The  com 
mander  of  the  victorious  army,  in  conjunction  with  his 
brother,  the  Admiral,  had  issued  a  proclamation,  which 
was  widely  scattered  on  every  side,  offering  a  full  pardon, 
in  the  name  of  his  Majesty,  to  all  who  should  take  the 
oath  of  allegiance,  and  come  under  his  protection,  within 
sixty  days.  Great  numbers,  and  among  them  men  of  for 
tune  and  respectability,  had  accepted  the  terms,  and  gone 
over  to  the  enemy.  Others,  especially  in  New  Jersey, 
took  the  oath,  but  did  not  leave  their  usual  places  of  abode. 
In  short,  so  great  was  the  panic,  and  so  dark  the  prospect, 
that  a  general  despondency  pervaded  the  continent.  Many 
of  the  strongest  spirits  quailed  before  the  accumulating 
difficulties  that  encompassed  the  cause  of  freedom.  Wash 
ington  stood  firm  and  unmoved  as  a  rock.  "  Undismayed 
by  the  dangers  which  surrounded  him,  he  did  not  for  an 
instant  relax  his  exertions,  or  omit  anything  which  could 


270  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

obstruct  the  progress  of  the  enemy,  or  improve  his  own 
condition.  He  did  not,  for  a  moment,  appear  to  despair 
of  the  public  safety,  but  struggled  against  adverse  fortune, 
with  the  hope  of  yet  vanquishing  the  difficulties  which 
encompassed  him  ;  and  constantly  showed  himself  to  his 
harassed  and  enfeebled  army  with  a  serene,  unembarrassed 
countenance,  betraying  no  fears  in  himself,  and  invigorat 
ing  and  inspiring  with  confidence  the  bosoms  of  others." 
Among  his  principal  officers,  none  was  more  hopeful, 
more  courageous,  more  determined  than  General  Putnam. 
Through  all  this  season  of  peril,  disaster  and  discourage 
ment,  he  was  ever  at  his  Commander's  side,  and  was 
among  the  last  of  the  fugitive  band,  that  crossed  the  Dela 
ware,  and  drew  up  its  diminished  lines  on  the  other 
side,  not  to  give  over  the  fight  in  despair,  but,  like  a  hunt 
ed  wolf  at  bay,  to  turn  upon  its  pursuers  with  redoubled 
fierceness,  and  drive  them  back  from  the  field  they  had  so 
lately  won. 


CHAPTER    XXI. 


PUTNAM'S  COMMAND   AT  PHILADELPHIA  AND  PRINCETON. 

Designs  of  General  Howe  upon  Philadelphia— Putnam  ordered  to 
defend  it — Washington's  views  of  the  importance  of  that  place — 
Putnam's  general  orders — Conference  with  Congress — His  ardu 
ous  labors— Battles  of  Trenton  and  Princeton—Part  intended  to 
be  assigned  to  Putnam— Washington's  correspondence — Ordered 
to  Crosswicks — Stationed  at  Princeton — Smallness  of  his  force — 
Captain  McPherson — Severity  and  unwise  policy  of  the  British- 
Humanity  of  Putnam — His  success  in  protecting  the  country  from 
lawless  plunderers — General  Dickinson's  successful  skirmish  with 
a  foraging  party — Success  of  Colonel  Gurney  and  Major  Davis — 
Major  Stockton  surprised  and  taken  by  Colonel  Nelson — Severe 
treatment  of  Major  Stockton — The  Skinners,  Cow-boys,  and  Ya 
gers — Gallant  conduct  of  Major  Smith  at  Bound  Brook— Rein 
forcement  of  the  British  army — Putnam  ordered  to  keep  a  good 
look  out  towards  Philadelphia— Little  vexations — Results  of  his 
winter  operations  in  New  Jersey — Aaron  Burr. 

GENERAL  HOWE,  having  now,  as  he  supposed,  broken  the 
spirits,  as  well  as  scattered  the  forces,  of  the  rebel  army, 
promised  himself  a  certain  and  easy  victory.  His  next 
immediate  object  was  the  possession  of  Philadelphia ; 
through  which  so  large  a  portion  of  the  American  supplies 
were  obtained,  that,  in  the  earnest  language  of  Washington, 
"  upon  the  salvation  of  that  place,  their  cause  almost 
depended."  With  this  view  of  its  importance,  and  with 
a  determination  to  leave  no  effort  untried  to  secure  it 
against  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  General  Putnam  was 
sent  forward  to  take  the  command,  and  to  superintend  the 
works  to  be  erected  for  its  defence 


272  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

In  a  letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  President 
of  Congress,  under  date  of  the  9th  of  December,  after 
remarking  "  that  the  security  of  Philadelphia  should  be 
our  next  object,"  he  suggests,  that  u  a  communication  of 
lines  and  redoubts  might  be  formed  from  the  Delaware  to 
the  Schuylkill,  on  the  north  entrance  of  the  city — to  begin 
on  the  Schuylkill  side,  and  run  eastward  to  the  Delaware, 
upon  the  most  advantageous  and  commanding  grounds. 
We  have  ever  found,"  he  continues,  "  that  lines,  how 
ever  slight,  are  very  formidable  to  the  enemy  ;  they  would 
at  least  give  a  check,  till  the  people  could  recover  from 
the  fright  and  consternation,  that  naturally  attend  the  first 
appearance  of  an  enemy. 

"  In  the  meantime,  every  step  should  be  taken  to  col 
lect  a  force,  not  only  from  Pennsylvania,  but  from  the 
neighboring  States.  If  we  can  keep  the  enemy  from  enter 
ing  Philadelphia,  and  keep  the  communication  by  water 
open  for  supplies,  we  may  yet  make  a  stand,  if  the  coun 
try  will  come  to  our  assistance  till  the  new  levies  be  col 
lected.  *  *  * 

"  P.  S.  General  Mifilin  is  this  moment  come  up,  and 
tells  me,  that  all  the  military  stores  yet  remain  in  Phila 
delphia.  This  makes  the  immediate  fortifying  of  the  city 
so  necessary,  that  I  have  desired  General  Mifflin  to  return 
and  take  charge  of  the  stores  ;  and  have  ordered  Major- 
General  Putnam  immediately  down,  to  superintend  the 
works,  and  give  the  necessary  directions." 

The  difficulties  to  be  encountered  in  this  new  sphere  of 
action,  were  many  and  severe.  But  the  hardy  old  veteran 
proved  himself  equal  to  them  all.  Here,  as  well  as  in 
New  York,  there  were  many  persons  strongly  disaffected 
towards  the  American  cause — men,  who,  from  attachment 
to  royalty,  or  from  fear  of  losing  their  property,  shrunk 
from  the  unequal  contest,  or  lent  their  aid,  secretly,  to 


SEVERE      LABORS      IN      PHILADELPHIA.      273 

further  the  designs  of  the  enemy.  Many  of  them  were 
so  decided  in  their  hostility,  that  it  was  at  one  time 
thought  unsafe  to  withdraw  the  forces  from  the  city, 
though  their  aid  was  much  needed  to  strengthen  the  army 
in  the  field,  lest,  in  their  absence,  the  whole  city  should 
declare  for  the  enemy.  It  was  this,  as  will  be  seen  here 
after,  that  deprived  General  Putnam  of  a  share  in  one  of 
the  most  brilliant  and  successful  enterprises  of  the  army 
of  the  Revolution. 

The  danger  apprehended  from  the  steady  approaches  of 
General  Howe  was  imminent,  and  the  works  of  defence 
were  required  to  be  constructed  with  the  greatest  des 
patch.  The  labor  was  severe  and  unintermitting,  and 
General  Putnam  never  spared  himself,  when  there  was 
work  to  be  done,  any  more  than  when  danger  was  to  be 
braved.  "  His  personal  industry,"  says  Humphreys,  who 
was  with  him  at  this  time,  "  was  unparalleled,  and  his 
health  was,  for  a  while,  impaired  by  his  unrelaxed  exer 
tions."  The  city  was  placed  under  martial  law,  and  his 
authority,  during  his  command  in  it,  was  paramount  and 
supreme.  But  he  made  no  unnecessary  display  of  his 
power,  scrupulously  avoiding  everything  that  would  need 
lessly  disturb  the  usual  order,  or  restrain  the  usual  free 
dom  of  intercourse  among  the  citizens.  He  made  a  dili 
gent  use  both  of  authority  and  example,  to  conciliate,  as 
far  as  possible,  the  contending  factions, — to  win  over  the 
disaffected  to  the  cause  of  freedom, — and  to  excite  all  the 
citizens  to  use  their  utmost  diligence  in  preparing  to  repel 
the  expected  approach  of  the  enemy.  He  took  good  care, 
as  he  had  done  in  New  York,  to  regulate  and  sustain  the 
police  of  the  city,  by  bringing  his  own  military  authority 
to  bear  upon  it,  and  by  encouraging  a  cheerful  obedience 
to  the  laws.  The  following  order  will  illustrate  his  care 

and  prudence  in  this  respect : 
12  * 


274  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    PUTNAM. 

"  GENERAL  ORDERS. 
"Head  Quarters,  Philadelphia,  Dec.  14,  1776 

"  Colonel  Griffin  is  appointed  Adjutant-General  to  the 
troops  in  and  about  this  city.  All  orders  from  the  Gene 
ral  through  him,  either  written  or  verbal,  are  to  be  strictly 
attended  to,  and  punctually  obeyed. 

"  In  case  of  an  alarm  by  fire,  the  city  guards  and  pa- 
troles  are  to  suffer  the  inhabitants  to  pass,  unmolested,  at 
any  hour  of  the  night ;  and  the  good  people  of  Philadel 
phia  are  earnestly  requested  and  desired  to  give  every 
assistance  in  their  power,  with  engines  and  buckets,  to 
extinguish  the  fire.  And,  as  the  Congress  have  ordered 
the  city  to  be  defended  to  the  last  extremity,  the  General 
hopes  that  no  person  will  refuse  to  give  every  assistance 
possible,  to  complete  the  fortifications  that  are  to  be  erect 
ed  in  and  about  the  city. 

"ISRAEL  PUTNAM." 

Soon  after  his  arrival  in  Philadelphia,  General  Putnam 
was  called,  with  General  Mifflin,  to  a  special  conference 
with  Congress  upon  the  expediency  of  adjourning  their 
meeting  to  some  place  less  exposed  to  interruption  from 
the  enemy.  By  their  advice,  and  urgent  counsels,  and 
directly  in  the  face  of  a  vote  taken  only  the  day  before, 
the  resolution  to  adjourn  was  adopted  on  the  12th  of  De 
cember,  to  assemble  in  Baltimore  on  the  20th. 

The  labor  of  constructing  fortifications  was  regular  and 
monotonous,  and  but  few  incidents  of  sufficient  interest  to 
be  recorded,  marked  the  toilsome  residence  of  the  General 
in  this  capital.  Everything  was  proceeding  well  and 
prosperously  under  his  direction,  when  he  was  suddenly 
called  off  from  this  position,  to  take  part  in  other  and  more 
important  movements  of  the  army. 

Contrary  to  all  expectation,  and  to  all   human  proba- 


PROPOSED     ATTACK     ON     MOUNT     HOLLY.       275 

bility,  General  Washington,  with  the  poor  remnant  of  an 
army  that  had  escaped  with  him  over  the  Delaware,  had 
suddenly  recrossed  that  river,  in  the  dead  of  winter,  and 
struck  a  blow  upon  the  victorious  and  too  confident  enemy 
at  Trenton,  that  astonished  alike  both  friend  and  foe — 
reviving  and  inspiriting  the  one,  as  much  as  it  discomfited 
and  chagrined  the  other.  Before  the  enemy  had  quite 
recovered  from  the  panic  occasioned  by  this  masterly 
movement,  the  American  general  had  crossed  the  Dela 
ware  the  second  time,  and,  prudently  avoiding  the  prof- 
ferred  encounter  with  Lord  Cornwallis,  had  struck  another 
blow  upon  Princeton,  killing  and  capturing  almost  an 
entire  regiment. 

It  was  a  part  of  his  original  design,  in  planning  these 
bold  movements,  to  unite  the  troops  employed  in  fortify 
ing  Philadelphia,  with  those  of  Brigadier-General  Cad- 
wallader  at  Bristol,  and  to  place  the  whole  under  the 
command  of  General  Putnam,  with  a  view  to  carrying  the 
post  at  Mount  Holly,  about  ten  miles  back  of  Burlington, 
where  the  advanced  guard  of  the  British  army  was  posted. 
But  so  alarming  were  the  indications,  at  that  time,  of  an 
insurrection  in  the  city,  in  favor  of  the  royal  cause,  that 
the  execution  of  this  part  of  the  plan  was  entrusted  to 
General  Cadvvallader  alone  ;  and  General  Putnam  remain 
ed  at  his  post,  to  prosecute  the  works  of  defence  which 
were  to  guard  against  an  invading  enemy  from  without, 
and  to  quell  the  incipient  organization  of  a  more  dangerous 
enemy  within.  He  was,  therefore,  denied  the  opportu 
nity — which  to  his  active  and  enterprising  spirit  would 
have  seemed  one  of  the  privileges  of  the  service — of  sharing 
in  two  of  the  most  brilliant  achievements  which  distin 
guished  the  Revolutionary  War.  Had  the  original  plan 
been  carried  out,  and  the  river  been  found  passable,  at  the 
place  appointed  for  crossing,  there  is  no  doubt  that  it 


276  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

would  have  been  completely  successful,  and  greatly  en 
hanced  the  advantages  of  that  glorious  day.  It  was  ascer 
tained,  by  persons  despatched  to  reconnoitre  the  post  at 
Mount  HoHy,  that  the  soldiers  were  in  a  state  of  compara 
tive  helplessness  from  intoxication — having  indulged  freely 
in  spirituous  liquors  the  preceding  day,  which  was  Christ 
mas-day.  There  was  no  apprehension  of  danger,  and  no 
precaution  to  guard  against  it. 

On  the  eve  of  the  execution  of  the  first  of  these  enter 
prises,  the  Commander-in-chief  addressed  a  letter  to  Gene 
ral  Putnam,  expressing  his  great  satisfaction  in  learning 
the  improved  state  of  his  health — which  had  been  impair 
ed  by  his  excessive  labors  and  exposures — and  informing 
him  that  the  design  of  the  enemy  to  gain  early  possession 
of  Philadelphia,  was  fully  confirmed,  by  an  intercepted 
letter  from  a  gentleman  of  Philadelphia,  who  had  joined 
the  enemy,  to  his  partner  in  that  city,  which  declared  that 
their  plans  were  laid  to  enter  it  within  twenty  days,  or  as 
soon  as  the  ice  in  the  river  should  be  sufficiently  strong  to 
enable  them  to  transport  their  artill-ry  across  it.  He 
added,  that,  if  the  citizens  of  Philadelphia  had  any  regard 
for  the  town,  not  a  moment's  time  was  to  be  lost,  until 
it  should  be  put  in  the  best  possible  posture  of  defence. 
Fearing  that,  through  their  indifference,  or  the  want  of 
time  to  accomplish  it,  this  would  not  be  done,  he  directed 
all  the  public  stores,  except  such  as  were  necessary  for 
immediate  use,  to  be  removed  at  once  to  places  of  greater 
security. 

Ten  days  after,  on  the  5th  of  January,  1777,  Washing 
ton  wrote  to  Putnam,  from  Pluckemin,  giving  an  account 
of  his  second  successful  stroke,  and  expressing  the  hope — 
as  the  enemy  appeared  to  be  quite  panic-struck — that  he 
should  be  able  to  drive  them  out  of  the  Jerseys.  The 
new  aspect  which  their  late  brilliant  successes  had  put 


TAKES     POST     AT      PRINCETON.  277 

upon  the  American  cause,  so  completely  changed  the  cur 
rent  of  popular  opinion,  that  the  defection  of  Philadelphia 
was  BO  longer  feared,  and  Putnam  could  now  be  spared 
from  that  post.  He  was,  accordingly,  ordered  to  take  the 
field,  and  assist  in  pushing  the  advantages  so  unexpectedly 
gained.  u  It  is  thought  advisable  for  you,"  continues  the 
letter,  "  to  march  the  troops  under  your  command  to  Cross- 
wicks,  and  keep  a  strict  watch  upon  the  enemy  in  that 
quarter.  If  the  enemy  continues  at  Brunswick,  you  must 
act  with  great  circumspection,  lest  you  meet  with  a  sur 
prise.  As  we  have  made  two  successful  attacks  upon 
them  by  surprise,  if  there  is  any  possibility  of  retaliating, 
they  will  attempt  it.  You  will  give  out  your  strength  to 
be  twice  as  great  as  it  is.*  Forward  on  all  the  baggage 
and  scattered  troops  belonging  to  this  division  of  the  army 
as  soon  as  may  be. 

"  You  will  keep  as  many  spies  out  as  you  shall  see 
proper.  A  number  of  horsemen,  in  the  dress  of  the  coun 
try,  must  be  constantly  kept  going  backwards  and  forwards 
for  this  purpose,  and  if  you  discover  any  motion  of  the 
enemy,  which  you  can  depend  upon,  and  which  you  think 
of  consequence,  let  me  be  informed  thereof  as  soon  as 
possible,  by  express. 

"  I  am,  dear  General,  yours,  &c." 

In  obedience  to  these  orders,  General  Putnam  took  the 
field  at  once,  leaving  suitable  directions  for  the  prosecution 
of  the  works  of  defence  in  the  city.  The  design  of  the 
Americans  was  to  hold  the  advantages  already  gained,  arid 
to  harass  the  enemy,  by  all  the  means  in  their  power — for 

*  So  successfully  was  this  species  of  deception  practised  upon  the 
enemy,  that  letters  from  officers  in  the  army  to  their  fiiends  in 
England,  represented  the  Americans,  at  this  very  time,  as  forty  thou 
sand  strong.  See  Almon's  Remembrancer. 


278  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

they  had  neither  men  nor  ammunition  to  attempt  a  battle. 
They  had  succeeded  in  driving  them  from  all  their  newly 
acquired  posts  in  the  Jerseys,  except  Brunswick  and  Am- 
boy,  and  had  thus  opened  to  themselves  a  large  field  for 
supplies,  and  given  encouragement  to  multitudes  of  those, 
who,  while  they  were  at  heart  friendly  to  the  American 
cause,  had  begun  to  despair  of  ever  bringing  it  to  a  suc 
cessful  issue. 

Putnam's  first  movement  was  to  Crosswicks,  a  few 
miles  southeast  of  Trenton,  on  one  of  the  routes  by  which 
the  enemy  might  attempt  to  regain  his  lost  position  at 
Mount  Holly.  As  no  attempt  was  made  to  do  this,  and 
Howe's  forces  seemed  to  be  concentrating  for  winter  quar 
ters,  Putnam  was  ordered  to  advance  to  Princeton.  At 
this  post  he  continued,  during  the  remainder  of  the  winter, 
within  fifteen  miles  from  the  enemy's  stronghold  at  Bruns 
wick.  His  force  was  exceedingly  small,  never  more  than 
a  few  hundred.  At  one  period,  from  a  sudden  diminution, 
occasioned  by  the  withdrawal  of  those  whose  terms  of 
enlistment  had  expired,  and  who  peremptorily  refused  to 
remain  till  their  places  could  be  supplied  by  new  recruits, 
he  had  fewer  men  on  duty  than  he.  had  miles  of  frontier 
to  guard.  There  was  no  time,  during  the  winter,  when 
he  could  have  sustained,  for  a  single  hour,  the  attack  of  a 
respectable  body  of  regulars.  Yet,  so  good  a  front  did  he 
maintain,  and  so  successfully  did  he  blind  the  eyes  of  his 
adversary  to  his  real  position  and  strength,  that  no  effort 
was  made  to  dislodge  him. 

Among  the  British  who  were  left  on  the  field  at  the 
battle  of  Princeton,  was  Captain  M'Pherson,  of  the  17th 
regiment,  a  very  worthy  Scotchman,  who  was  desperately 
wounded  through  the  lungs.  He  had  been  left  for  dead, 
and  on  General  Putnam's  arrival  on  the  ground,  he  found 
him  languishing  in  extreme  distress,  without  a  surgeon, 


STORY    OF    M'PHERSON.  279 

without  a  single  accommodation,  and  without  a  friend  to 
solace  the  troubled  spirit  in  the  hour  of  death.  He  visited 
him,  and  immediately  caused  every  possible  comfort  to  be 
administered  to  him.  Captain  M;Pherson,  who,  contrary 
to  all  appearances,  recovered,  after  having  demonstrated 
to  General  Putnam  the  dignified  sense  of  obligations  which 
a  generous  mind  wishes  not  to  conceal,  one  day,  in  familiar 
conversation,  demanded — "  Pray,  Sir,  what  countryman 
are  you  ?"  "An  American,"  answered  the  latter.  "  Not 
a  Yankee  ?"  said  the  other.  "  A  full  blooded  one," 
replied  the  General.  "  I  am  sorry  for  that,"  rejoined 
M'Pherson,  "  I  did  not  think  there  could  be  so  much 
goodness  and  generosity  in  an  American,  or,  indeed,  in 
anybody  but  a  Scotchman." 

While  the  recovery  of  Captain  M'Pherson  was  doubt 
ful,  he  desired  that  General  Putnam  would  allow  a  friend 
in  the  British  army  at  Brunswick,  to  come  and  assist  him 
in  making  out  his  will.  Putnam  had  then  only  fifty  men 
in  his  command — the  remainder  being  out,  in  detachments, 
to  cover  and  protect  the  country.  He  \vas,  consequently, 
very  much  embarrassed  by  this  proposition.  He  was  not 
content  that  a  British  officer  should  have  an  opportunity 
to  spy  out  his  weakness,  nor  was  it  in  his  nature  to  refuse 
complying  v'th  a  dictate  of  humanity.  He  luckily 
thought  of  an  expedient,  which  he  hastened  to  put  into 
practice.  A  flag  of  truce  was  despatched  with  Captain 
M'Pherson's  request,  but  under  an  injunction  not  to  return 
until  after  dark.  In  the  evening,  lights  were  placed  in  all 
the  rooms  of  the  College,  and  in  every  apartment  of  the 
vacant  houses  throughout  the  town.  During  the  whole 
night,  the  fifty  men,  sometimes  all  together,  and  sometimes 
in  small  detachments,  were  marched  from  different  quar 
ters,  by  the  house  in  which  M'Pherson  lay.  It  was 
afterwards  known,  that  M'Pherson's  friend,  on  his  return, 


280  LIFE      OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

reported  that  General  Putnam's  army,  upon  the  most  mo 
derate  calculation,  could  not  consist  of  less  than  four  or 
five  thousand  men. 

The  harshness  and  cruelty  of  the  invaders,  and  particu 
larly  the  German  mercenaries,  during  the  period  of  their 
temporary  occupancy  of  New  Jersey,  reacted  with  a  most 
salutary  effect  upon  the  American  cause,  alienating  from 
the  British  interest  the  affections  of  those  who  had  been 
hitherto  loyal,  confirming  in  their  opposition  those  who 
had  before  espoused  the  cause  of  liberty,  and  rousing  to 
instant  and  spirited  revolt  such  as  had  been  compelled  to 
take  sides  with  the  conquerors,  or  at  least  to  render  a 
seeming  submission.  The  humane  and  generous  treatment 
they  everywhere  experienced  at  the  hands  of  Washington, 
and  his  compeers,  settled  for  ever  the  question  of  their 
allegiance  ;  and,  from  the  time  when  General  Howe  eva 
cuated  his  short-lived  possessions  on  and  about  the  Dela 
ware,  there  were  no  truer  or  more  devoted  supporters  of 
the  cause  of  independence  in  the  States,  than  those  of  New 
Jersey. 

While  affording  every  possible  protection  to  the  persons 
and  property  of  American  citizens,  the  principal  officers,  in 
their  various  stations,  seemed  constantly  to  vie  with  each 
other,  in  giving  proofs  of  vigilance,  enterprise,  and  valor, 
against  the  common  foe.  The  numbers  under  the  com 
mand  of  each  were  necessarily  very  small.  But  they 
were  always  on  the  alert  for  opportunities  to  annoy  the 
enemy,  incessantly  hovering,  in  small  scouting  parties, 
about  their  quarters,  interrupting  their  communications, 
cutting  off  their  supplies,  surprising  their  foraging  parties 
and  pickets,  and,  in  every  other  way,  showing  them  that, 
though  broken,  they  were  not  subdued.  They  maintained 
a  constant  communication  with  each  other,  and,  by  mutual 
counsel  and  assistance,  and  a  perfect  harmony  of  opera- 


SKIRMISHING.  281 

tion,  contrived,  in  a  great  measure,  to  remedy  the  evil  ot 
scanty  numbers,  and  scattered  posts. 

Lord  Cornwallis  was  in  command  of  the  British  forces 
at  New  Brunswick.  General  Dickinson,  of  New  Jersey, 
was  stationed  on  the  west  side  of  Millstone  river,  not  far 
from  Somerset  Court- House,  and  about  ten  miles  from 
New  Brunswick.  On  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  was 
a  mill,  in  which  was  deposited  a  large  quantity  of  flour. 
Tempted  by  such  a  booty,  of  which  he  was  in  no  small 
need,  Lord  Cornwallis  sent  out  a  party,  about  the  25th  of 
January,  with  wagons  and  horses,  to  seize  the  flour,  and 
collect  such  forage  as  fell  in  their  way.  While  engaged 
in  this  enterprise,  General  Dickinson  fell  upon  them  in  a 
most  spirited  manner,  and  drove  them  back,  with  some 
loss,  taking  from  them  forty  wagons,  and  upwards  of  a 
hundred  valuable  horses,  with  a  considerable  number  of 
sheep  and  cattle,  which  they  had  collected  on  their  march. 
The  two  parties  were  nearly  equal  in  number.  The 
bridge  over  the  Millstone  was  in  possession  of  the  British, 
and  defended  by  their  field-pieces  ;  so  that  General  Dickin 
son,  to  accomplish  his  purpose,  was  compelled  to  break 
the  ice,  and  cross  the  river  in  three  feet  of  water. 

General  Putnam  was  still  more  successful  in  several 
expeditions,  undertaken  by  his  orders,  during  this  trying 
winter.  In  the  course  of  January,  Colonel  Gurney  and 
Major  Davis  were  detached  from  his  command,  with  such 
parties  of  militia  as  could  be  spared  from  the  garrisons,  to 
protect  the  citizens  of  Monmouth  county  from  the  preda 
tory  incursions  of  the  royalists,  to  which  they  were  much 
exposed.  Several  severe  skirmishes  took  place,  in  which 
the  British  invariably  were  the  sufferers,  losing  large  num 
bers  of  men,  as  well  as  horses  and  wagons.  So  well,  in 
deed,  did  they  cover  the  country,  for  a  season,  as  to  induce 
many  of  the  most  respectable  inhabitants  to  declare,  that 


282  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM 

for  the  security  of  their  persons,  as  well  as  the  salvation 
of  their  property,  they  were  wholly  indebted  to  the  spirited 
exertions,  and  well-conducted  manreuvres,  of  these  two 
detachments.  Nor  was  this  the  only  service  rendered  by 
such  parties.  While  they  rescued  the  country  from  the 
tyranny  and  depredations  of  the  tories,  they  encouraged  the 
militia  to  come  boldly  out,  and  embody  themselves  for  their 
own  defence. 

On  the  expiration  of  their  term  of  service,  which  hap 
pened  soon  after,  Putnam  was  compelled  to  part  even 
with  such  valuable  and  efficient  coadjutors  as  these. 
How  reluctantly  he  parted  with  them,  in  the  then  reduced 
state  of  his  forces,  may  be  gathered  from  the  following  let 
ter,  dated 

"  Princeton,  February  5,  1777. 

"  To  MAJOR  JOHN  DAVIS,  of  the  Third  Battalion  of  Cum 
berland  County  Militia. 

"  SIR — I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  your  activity, 
vigor  and  diligence,  since  you  have  been  under  my  com 
mand.  You  will  now  march  your  men  to  Philadelphia, 
and  there  discharge  them,  returning  into  the  store  all  the 
ammunitions,  arms  and  accoutrements  you  received  at  that 
place. 

"  I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant, 

"  ISRAEL  PUTNAM." 

Two  weeks  after  this,  having  received  information  that 
a  considerable  party  of  refugees,  in  the  pay  of  the  British 
commander,  had  taken  post  at  Lawrence's  Neck,  and  were 
proceeding  to  erect  some  works  of  defence  there,  General 
Putnam  despatched  Colonel  Nelson,  of  Brunswick,  with 
one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  with  orders  to  surprise  and 
take  them  prisoners.  That  able  officer  conducted  the 
•Affair  with  so  much  secresy  and  decision,  that  the  entire 


MAJOR    STOCKTON    AND    THE    SKINNERS.    2S3 

party  was  secured,  with  their  arms,  and  considerable 
booty.  They  were  about  sixty  in  number,  and  were  com 
manded  by  Major  Stockton,  having  been  detached,  on  this 
service,  from  the  brigade  of  the  celebrated  General  Cort- 
landt  Skinner,  a  New  Jersey  royalist,  who,  with  his  corps 
of  kindred  spirits,  had  taken  advantage  of  General  Howe's 
gracious  Proclamation  of  pardon,  and  given  in  their  adhe 
sion  to  the  King. 

In  a  letter  to  the  Council  of  Safety  for  Pennsylvania, 
dated  at  Princeton,  February  IS,  1777,  General  Putnam 
thus  speaks  of  Nelson's  success,  and  commends  the  good 
conduct  of  the  party  : 

"  Yesterday  evening,  Colonel  Nelson,  with  a  hundred 
and  fifty  men,  at  Lawrence's  Neck,  attacked  sixty  men  of 
Cortlandt  Skinner's  Brigade,  commanded  by  the  enemy's 
RENOWNED  LAND-PIRATE,  Major  Richard  Stockton,  routed 
them,  and  took  the  whole  prisoners.  Among  them  the 
Major,  a  captain,  and  three  subalterns,  with  seventy  stands 
of  arms.  Fifty  of  the  Bedford,  Pennsylvania,  Riflemen 
behaved  like  veterans." 

As  has  been  already  remarked,  General  Putnam  was 
proverbially  lenient  to  his  prisoners,  so  much  so  as  some 
times  to  incur  the  censure  of  those  who  had  not  learned  to 
make  the  proper  distinction  between  an  armed  and  an 
unarmed  foe.  In  the  case  of  Major  Stockton,  he  exer 
cised  an  unusual  severity,  sending  him  to  Philadelphia  in 
irons,  and  ordering  him  to  be  placed  in  strict  confinement 
there.  The  particular  reason  for  this  severe  treatment 
does  not  appear  in  any  of  the  official  documents  of  the  day, 
so  far  as  I  have  had  opportunity  to  examine  them.  Ge 
neral  Washington,  writing,  on  the  10th  of  March,  to  Ge 
neral  Gates,  then  in  command  at  Philadelphia,  says,  "  I 
am  informed  that  General  Putnam  sent  to  Philadelphia  in 
irons,  Major  Stockton,  taken  upon  the  Raritan,  and  that 


284  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

he  continues  in  strict  confinement.     I  think  we  ou°-ht  to 

o 

avoid  putting  in  practice,  what  we  have  so  loudly  com 
plained  of,  the  cruel  treatment  of  prisoners.  I  therefore 
desire,  that,  if  there  is  a  necessity  for  confinement,  it  may 
be  made  as  easy  and  comfortable  as  possible  to  Major 
Stockton  and  his  officers.  This  man,  I  believe,  has  been 
very  active  and  mischievous,  but  we  took  him  in  arms,  as 
an  officer  of  the  enemy,  and  by  the  rules  of  war,  we  are 
obliged  to  treat  him  as  such,  and  not  as  a  felon." 

General  Cortlandt  Skinner,  and  his  corps,  were  so  no 
torious  for  their  cruel  depredations  upon  the  property  of 
American  citizens,  that  his  name  became  a  familiar  appel 
lative  for  that  class  of  land-pirates,  from  whom  the  coun 
try  suffered,  if  possible,  more  severely  than  from  their 
British  enemies,  or  even  their  mercenary  German  allies. 
The  Yagers,  the  Cow-Boys,  and  the  Skinners,  were  but 
different  names  for  the  three  grades  of  lawless  banditti, 
that  prowled  about  the  precincts  of  the  two  armies,  in 
quest  only  of  plunder,  and  reckless  of  the  means  of  obtain 
ing  it.  The  Yagers  and  the  Cowboys  plundered  both  par 
ties  alike,  indifferent  to  whom  the  booty  belonged,  so  that 
they  could  secure  it  for  their  own  use.  The  Skinners, 
though  Americans,  plundered  only  their  own  countrymen, 
and  served  the  British  as  the  dastardly  jackal  serves  the 
lion.  They  were  mere  patricides,  who,  for  British  gold, 
sold  themselves  to  rob  the  houses  and  fields,  and  cut  the 
throats,  of  their  more  patriotic  neighbors  and  relatives.  It 
was  this  that  made  them  so  peculiarly  obnoxious  to  our 
people.  And  it  was,  probably,  either  on  account  of  some 
peculiar  acts  of  violence  and  outrage  that  he  had  commit 
ted,  or  from  some  special  danger  to  be  apprehended  from 
suffering  him  to  go  at  large  on  his  parole,  that  the  humane 
General  Putnam  distinguished  him  from  ordinary  prisoners 
by  a  close  confinement.  When  General  Lee  was  made  a 
prisoner  by  the  British,  General  Howe  refused  to  receive 


M  A  j .  SMITH'S   GALLANT   ENTERPRISE.  285 

his  parole,  on  the  ground  that  he  was  a  deserter  from  the 
British  service,  and  should  be  treated  rather  as  a  traitor  to 
his  king,  than  as  an  ordinary  American  prisoner.  If  there 
was  even  a  show  of  justice  or  reason  in  this  case,  it  was 
surely  no  great  stretch  of  the  same  general  principle,  to  ac 
cord  to  any  of  the  Skinners,  and  especially  to  Major 
Stockton,  the  distinction  of  irons,  and  a  guarded  cell. 

Shortly  after  the  capture  of  Stockton  and  his  detach 
ment,  General  Putnam  received,  from  his  scouts,  intelli 
gence  of  another  party  of  foragers,  sent  out  by  Lord  Corn- 
wallis  towards  Bound  Brook.  Immediately  detaching 
Major  Smith,  with  a  few  riflemen,  to  hang  on  the  rear  of 
the  party,  and  annoy  them,  till  he  should  come  up,  he 
made  his  dispositions  to  follow,  with  all  the  little  force  at 
his  command.  Before  he  reached  the  ground,  however, 
the  gallant  Major,  eager  to  secure  for  himself  the  honors 
of  the  day,  had  laid  an  ambush,  sprung  upon  and  surprised 
the  enemy,  killed  several  of  his  horses,  and  driven  him 
back,  with  the  loss  of  several  prisoners  and  sixteen  bag 
gage-wagons — his  own  little  band  sustaining  no  injury  in 
life  or  limb. 

A  large  accession  of  strength  to  the  British  army  in 
Brunswick,  which  took  place  towards  the  latter  end  of 
February,  induced  General  Washington  to  believe,  that 
another  movement  towards  the  Delaware  would  soon  be 
made,  with  a  view  to  gaining  possession  of  Philadelphia. 
He  accordingly  wrote  to  General  Putnam,  advising  him  of 
this  reinforcement  of  the  enemy,  and  directing  him  to  be 
ever  on  the  alert,  and  prepared  for  any  movement  that 
might  take  place.  In  case  it  should  appear  that  Phila 
delphia  was  to  be  their  object,  Putnam  was  to  cross  the 
river  at  once,  with  such  force  as  might  be  then  at  his  dis 
posal,  assume  the  command  of  the  militia,  who  might  as 
semble,  secure  all  the  boats  on  the  west  side  of  the  Dela 
ware,  and  adopt  every  other  measure  that  he  might  deem 


286  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

necessary,  to  facilitate  the  passage  of  the  rest  of  the  army, 
if  circumstances  should  require  them  again  to  retire  from 
the  Jerseys  ;  the  possession  of  which  he,  at  the  same  time, 
resolved  to  contest,  inch  by  inch. 

But  Lord  Cornwallis,  notwithstanding  his  vastly  supe 
rior  advantages,  was  in  no  haste  to  advance.  The  two 
armies  retained  their  relative  position  some  two  months 
longer,  undisturbed  by  any  event  of  greater  importance 
than  an  occasional  skirmish  between  their  foraging  and 
scouting  parties. 

General  Putnam  continued  at  his  post  in  Princeton,  un 
til  near  the  middle  of  May,  when  a  more  important  ser 
vice  was  assigned  him,  in  the  northern  department.  Dur 
ing  his  command  in  New  Jersey,  a  period  of  four  winter 
months,  he  had,  by  his  several  parties,  taken  from  the 
enemy  nearly  a  thousand  prisoners,  and  more  than  a  hun 
dred  and  twenty  baggage  wagons,  besides  a  large  amount 
of  other  valuable  booty.  At  one  time,  about  the  first  of 
February,  in  an  enterprise,  the  details  of  which  are  not 
given,  he  took  ninety-six  wagons,  laden  with  provisions, 
on  their  way  to  the  British  army.*  At  another,  as  above 
described,  sixteen.  In  services  of  this  kind,  he  was  not 
excelled  by  any  other  officer  in  the  American  army.  Dur 
ing  all  this  period,  Major  Aaron  Burr  was  attached  to  his 
staff,  and  lived  with  him  as  a  member  of  his  family.  This 
singularly  gifted  man,  though  not  more  deficient  in  ambi 
tion  than  in  gallantry  and  intrigue,  wrote  to  a  friend,  on 
the  7th  of  March,  from  Princeton,  remarking,  that,  as  for 
promotion,  he  did  not  expect  it,  and  hardly  desired  it  ; 
and  adding,  as  the  only  apparent  reason  for  his  content 
ment,  "  I  am  at  present  quite  happy  in  the  esteem  and 
entire  confidence  of  my  good  old  General." 

*  Almon's  Remembrancer.  It  was  probably  one  of  the  expeditions 
under  the  direction  of  Major  Davis. 


CHAPTER    XXII. 


PUTNAM'S  COMMAND  IN  THE  HIGHLANDS. 

Importance  of  the  Highlands — Destruction  of  American  stores  at 
Peekskill  and  Danbury — Good  conduct  of  McDougall,  Arnold  and 
Wooster — Generals  Greene  and  Knox  examine  the  posts  in  the 
Highlands,  and  advise  a  mode  of  defence — General  Putnam  put 
in  command  at  Peekskill,  with  directions  to  carry  out  that  plan — 
Obstructions  in  the  river — Arduous  labors  and  exposures  of  Put 
nam — Washington's  opinion  of  his  character — Desires  him  to 
surprise  the  enemy's  post  at  King's  Bridge — Abandons  the  project, 
and  removes  his  camp  to  Middlebrook — Putnam's  force  greatly 
reduced  to  reinforce  the  main  army — Reduced  still  further,  to  sup 
port  General  Schuyler,  on  the  north — Doubtful  movements  of  the 
enemy — Marches  and  countermarches  of  the  Americans — First 
anniversary  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence — Evacuation  of 
Ticonderoga,  and  advance  of  Burgoyne — American  force  concen 
trated,  in  the  Highlands — Howe's  clumsy  attempt  to  deceive  Wash 
ington — The  latter  withdraws  his  force  again  into  New  Jersey — 
Orders  and  countermands — Edmund  Palmer,  the  spy,  in  Putnam's 
camp. 

THE  British  having  just  organized  a  considerable  army  in 
the  north,  for  which  it  was  important  to  open  a  free  com 
munication  with  their  centre  of  operations  in  New  York, 
the  possession  of  the  North  River,  and  of  the  passes  of  the 
Highlands,  became  a  matter  of  deep  interest  to  both  par 
ties.  Washington  had  always  foreseen  the  necessity  of 
holding  these  passes — not  only  for  commanding  supplies 
from  the  interior  of  New  York,  and  guarding  the  western 
frontier  of  New  England,  but  for  cutting  off  the  commu 
nication  of  the  enemy  with  their  loyal  supporters  in 


2SS  LIFE     OP     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

Canada.  On  retiring  into  New  Jersey,  near  the  close  of 
the  previous  year,  he  had  stationed  a  considerable  force  at 
Peekskill,  under  the  command  of  General  Heath.  It 
was  only  in  an  extreme  exigency,  when  it  became  neces 
sary  to  concentrate  all  his  force  upon  the  one  object  of 
driving  the  ene,my  from  the  Jerseys,  that  he  withdrew  a 
considerable  portion  of  that  force,  for  a  brief  season. 

The  recent  successful  attempts  of  the  enemy  to  destroy 
the  stores  collected  at  Peekskill,  and  at  Danbury  in  Con 
necticut,  indicated  not  only  a  watchfulness  in  that  direc 
tion,  but  a  purpose  to  force  a  passage  that  way  for  more 
extensive  and  important  operations.  In  the  former  of 
these  affairs,  General  McDougall,  under  the  most  unfa 
vorable  circumstances,  had  gained  for  himself  the  praise 
of  prudent  generalship.  In  the  latter,  Arnold  had  shown 
the  coolness,  intrepidity,  and  energy,  for  which  he  was 
conspicuous  ;  and  the  veteran  Wooster,  in  the  seventieth 
year  of  his  age,  had  exhibited  a  spirit,  zeal,  and  bravery, 
worthy  of  the  best  days  of  his  youth,  in  attacking  the 
retiring  foe,  with  a  few  raw,  undisciplined  troops,  has 
tily  collected  from  the  highways  and  hedges,  and  gallantly 
maintaining  the  conflict  with  vastly  superior  numbers,  till 
he  fell  mortally  wounded. 

About  the  middle  of  May,  Generals  Greene  and  Knox 
were  directed  to  proceed  to  the  Highlands,  and  examine 
the  river  and  passes,  in  company  with  Generals  McDou 
gall,  George  Clinton,  and  Wayne.  They  were  instructed  to 
look  to  the  state  and  condition  of  the  forts  in  the  High- 

O 

lands — especially  Fort  Montgomery — -and  to  view  them, 
both  with  reference  to  the  probability  of  an  attack  by 
water,  and  the  practicability  of  approaching  them  by  land, 
and  then  to  give  such  directions,  as  should  appear  to  them 
necessary,  for  their  greater  security.  Their  attention  was 
particularly  directed  to  the  pass  through  the  Highlands, 


PLAN     OF     DEFENCE.  289 

on  the  west  side  of  the  North  River,  lest  the  enemy  should 
possess  themselves  of  it  by  a  coup  dt  main,  before  a  suffi 
cient  force  could  be  assembled  to  oppose  them. 

Having  faithfully  discharged  the  duty  assigned  them, 
these  officers  made  report  to  General  Washington,  recom 
mending  that  the  obstruction  across  the  river  at  Fort 
Montgomery,  which  had  already  been  proposed,  should  be 
completed.  This  was  to  be  done  by  a  boom,  or  chain, 
from  bank  to  bank,  in  front  of  which  should  be  one  or  two 
cables,  to  break  the  force  of  a  vessel,  before  she  should 
strike  the  chain.*  Two  ships,  and  two  row-galleys,  were 
to  be  manned,  and  stationed  just  above  this  boom,  in  such 
a  position  as  to  fire  advantageously  upon  the  enemy's  ships 
when  they  approached.  This  force,  with  the  land  batte 
ries  on  the  margins  of  the  river,  they  supposed  amply 
sufficient  to  defeat  any  efforts  of  the  enemy  to  ascend  by 
water.  And  on  this  they  deemed  it  safe  to  rely,  for  the 
entire  defence  of  this  important  pass  ;  remarking  with 
confidence,  that,  "  if  the  obstructions  of  the  river  could  be 
rendered  effective,  the  enemy  would  not  attempt  to  operate 
by  land — the  passes  through  the  Highlands  being  so  ex 
ceedingly  difficult."  The  result  proved  that  this  confi 
dence  was  not  well  grounded,  as  fort  Montgomery  was 
afterwards  assaulted  and  taken  by  a  party,  which  pene 
trated  the  defiles  of  the  Highlands  on  the  west  side  of  the 
river. 

Arnold,  who  had  been  strangely,  and,  in  the  view  of 
Washington,  unjustly  overlooked,  in  the  recent  promotions 
by  Congress,  had  just  received  his  commission  as  Major- 
General.  But  its  date,  being  subsequent  to  those  of  five 
others  who  had  been  his  juniors  in  rank,  still  left  him 
subordinate  to  those  whom  he  had  once  commanded.  To 
make  amends  as  far  as  he  could,  for  this  singular  treat 
ment,  Washington  offered  him  the  command  on  the  North 
13 


290  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

River  ;  which,  at  that  juncture,  was  as  honorable  a  post 
as  any  officer  in  the  army  could  hold.  But  his  private 
affairs  calling  him  to  Philadelphia,  the  place  was  assigned 
to  General  Putnam.  He  was  instructed  to  use  every 
means  in  his  power  for  expediting  and  effecting  the  works 
and  obstructions  mentioned  in  the  report  above  referred  to. 
His  attention  was  particularly  directed  to  fixing  the  boom. 
This  work,  which  was  completed  only  with  great  labor 
and  difficulty,  was  well  suited  to  the  ingenuity  and  indus 
try  of  Putnam  ;  and  no  man  in  the  service  could  have 
been  better  chosen  to  superintend  and  direct  such  a  plan. 
To  support  the  weight  of  the  chain,  it  was  necessary  to 
place  under  it  large  rafts  of  timber,  at  small  distances  from 
each  olher.  These,  together  with  the  chain  itself,  pre 
sented  such  obstructions  to  the  descending  current,  as  to 
raise  the  water  several  feet,  by  which  its  force  was  so 
much  increased,  that  the  chain  was  broken.  It  was  soon 
replaced,  and  the  recurrence  of  a  similar  accident  prevent 
ed,  by  several  of  the  largest  sized  cables  being  passed 
round  the  lower  side  of  the  rafts,  and  made  fast  on  either 
shore.  Some  idea  may  be  formed  of  the  extent  and 
difficulty  of  this  undertaking,  when  it  is  stated,  that  the 
\vidth  of  the  river,  at  this  place,  is  five  hundred  and  forty 
yards,  and  that,  being  laid  diagonally,  the  better  to  resist 
the  current,  the  cables  required  for  the  service  were  not 
less  than  four  hundred  and  fifty  fathoms  in  length.* 

These  works  were  well  and  faithfully  executed  under 
the  able  guidance  of  General  Putnam  ;  and  it  is  not  im 
probable,  that  the  arduous  labor  performed  here,  connect 
ed  with  the  constant  exposure  of  his  person,  in  and  about 

*  A  letter  from  an  officer  in  the  royal  army,  that  removed  the  chain, 
dated  Oct.  7,  1777,  and  published  in  the  Pennsylvania  Ledger  of  that 
year,  describes  the  chain  as  near  a  mile  in  length,  each  link  weigh 
ing  sixty  pounds. 


EMPLOYMENT     IN     THE     HIGHLANDS.      291 

the  water,  may  have  been  the  principal  means  of  under 
mining  his  health,  and  subjecting  his  iron  constitution  to 
the  peculiar  infirmity,  by  which,  in  a  little  more  than  two 
years  after,  he  was  compelled,  in  the  vigor  of  an  otherwise 
green  old  age,  to  retire  from  the  field. 

On  his  appointment  to  this  station,  the  Commander-in- 
chief  addressed  a  letter  to  Brigadier-General  McDougall, 
who  had  previously  held  the  command  there,  in  which  he 
states,  in  a  few  words,  some  of  the  prominent  traits  in  his 
character,  as  a  man,  and  shows  how  truly  that  character 
was  appreciated  by  one  who  had  had  the  best  possible 
means  of  proving  it,  under  some  of  the  most  trying  circum 
stances  to  which  it  could  have  been  exposed.  "  I  have 
ordered  General  Putnam  to  Peekskill.  You  are  well 
acquainted  with  the  old  gentleman's  temper  ;  he  is  active, 
disinterested,  and  open  to  conviction,  and  I,  therefore, 
hope  that,  by  affording  him  the  advice  and  assistance 
which  your  knowledge  of  the  post  enables  you  10  do,  you 
will  be  very  happy  in  your  command  under  him." 

To  Brigadier-General  Parsons  he  wrote,  about  the  same 
time,  as  follows  :  "  As  I  consider  the  defence  of  the  forti 
fications,  and  passes  through  the  Highlands  an  object  of 
the  last  importance,  and  possessing  them  most  probably  to 
form  the  chief  end  of  the  enemy's  councils  and  immediate 
operations,  I  wish  you  to  come  to  Peekskill,  and  there 
continue  with  the  troops,  till  some  further  disposition  shall 
become  necessary."  And  again,  on  the  29th  :  "  The 
passes  and  fortifications  in  the  Highlands  are  of  the  last 
importance,  and  every  means  in  our  power  must  be  em 
ployed  to  secure  them."  The  troops  at  this  post  were 
chiefly  those  from  New  England  and  New  York. 

But  it  was  not  in  raising  fortifications  alone,  or  in  plan 
ning  and  completing  obstructions  to  the  navigation  of  the 
river,  that  the  talents  of  this  tried  soldier  and  able  com 


292  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

mander  were  expected  to  be  employed.  The  following 
letter  shows  that  he  was  still  relied  upon,  as  an  accom 
plished  general,  to  order  and  execute  important  and  deli 
cate  movements  against  the  enemy. 

"  To  MAJOR-GENERAL  PUTNAM. 

"  Morristown,  25  May,  1777. 
"DEAR  SIR:— 

"  Would  it  be  practicable,  do  you  think,  under  the 
present  circumstances  and  situation  of  the  troops  at  Peeks- 
kill,  to  surprise  the  enemy  at  King's  Bridge  ?  It  must  be 
effected  by  surprise,  or  not  at  all  ;  and  must  be  undertaken 
by  water — which  would  also  prove  abortive,  if  the  enemy 
have  vessels  of  any  kind  above  Fort  Washington.  The 
undigested  ideas  which  I  have  entertained  of  the  matter 
are  these  :  to  embark  a  number  of  troops',  supposed  ade 
quate  to  the  enterprise,  in  boats,  under  pretence  of  trans 
porting  them  and  their  baggage  to  Tappan,  as  a  more  easy 
and  expeditious  method  of  joining  the  army  under  my 
immediate  command.  To  cover  this  the  better,  a  number 
of  wagons  might  Jbe  ordered  to  assemble  at  the  landing  on 
this  side,  in  order  to  receive  your  baggage.  Or,  if  it 
should  be  thought  that  moving  a  body  of  men  so  near  the 
enemy  would  put  them  too  much  on  their  guard,  could 
not  the  troops  be  embarked  at  Peekskill,  under  pretence 
of  reinforcing  the  garrison  on  the  river,  in  order  to  expe 
dite  the  works,  and  actually  set  off  as  if  bound  thither ; 
but,  under  cover  of  darkness,  turn  and  push  down  the 
river  ?  But  here,  possibly,  a  difficulty  will  arise  on 
account  of  the  impracticability  of  getting  down  in  the 
night,  and  the  difficulty  of  being  concealed  in  any  creek  or 
inlet  on  the  western  shore  in  the  day.  These  are  all  mat 
ters  worthy  of  consideration,  and  I  have  nothing  more  in 
view  than  to  lead  you  into  a  train  of  thinking  upon  the 


PROJECTED      ENTERPRISE.  293 

subject.  Let  the 'matter  be  communicated  to  Generals 
McDougall  and  George  Clinton  for  their  sentiments,  but 
under  strong  injunctions  of  secresy  ;  for  it  always  happens, 
that,  where  more  than  two  or  three  are  apprized  of  an 
undertaking  of  this  kind,  the  knowledge  of  it  gets  abroad, 
which  must  immediately  defeat  any  measure  that  depends 
upon  secresy. 

"  The  place  at  which  I  should  propose  your  landing 
would  be  in  the  hollow  between  Fort  Washington  and 
Spiten  Devil.  It  is  a  good  landing  place,  and  affords  a 
good  passage  into  the  road  leading  from  Fort  Washington 
to  the  Bridge.  It  is  very  obscure,  and  would  enable  you 
to  fall  in  upon  the  back  of  the  troops  at  Fort  Independence, 
by  which  the  surprise  would  be  greater,  and  their  retreat 
cut  off.  Thence  your  troops  might,  or  might  not,  march 
up  by  land,  and  sweep  the  country  before  them  of  the 
enemy  and  provisions,  as  circumstances  would  justify. 
After  consulting  the  gentlemen  before  mentioned  on  the 
propriety  of  this  measure,  let  me  know  the  result,  by  a 
careful  person,  and  when  the  plan  could  be  conveniently 
carried  into  execution. 

"  I  am,  dear  Sir, 

"  Your  most  affectionate,  &c., 
"GEO.  WASHINGTON." 

Three  days  after  the  date  of  this  letter,  General  Wash 
ington  removed  his  camp  from  Morristown  to  Middlebrook, 
and  the  subsequent  movements  of  General  Howe  requiring 
his  utmost  watchfulness  and  activity,  the  plan  of  surprising 
his  outposts  was,  for  the  time,  abandoned.  There  was 
no  officer  in  the  army,  who  would  have  performed  a  ser 
vice  of  this  kind  with  more  alacrity  or  effect  than  General 
Putnam.  His  successes  in  the  previous  campaign  in  New 
Jersey  fully  demonstrated  that  he  had  lost  none  of  the 


294  LIFE     OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

energy,  promptness  and  skill,  which  had  distinguished  his 
partizan  adventures  in  the  Seven  Years'  War. 

It  was  not  until  the  10th  of  June  that  the  British  army, 
under  the  immediate  command  of  Sir  William  Howe,  left 
its  quarters  at  Brunswick.  For  a  considerable  time,  the 
movements  of  that  commander  were  so  uncertain  and  inex 
plicable,  as  greatly  to  puzzle  and  perplex  his  sagacious 
antagonist ;  for,  while  it  was  necessary  for  him  to  watch 
every  point,  it  was  still  more  so,  that  he  should  be  at  hand 
to  meet  the  blow  whenever  it  should  be  struck.  The  pre 
servation  of  Philadelphia  and  the  Highlands  were  objects 
of  equal  importance  and  interest.  The  former  appearing 
to  be  the  first  aim  of  the  British  commander,  General 
Washington  prepared  to  gather  all  his  scattered  forces 
about  him,  to  contest  the  passage  through  the  Jerseys. 
To  this  end,  General  Putnam  was  ordered  on  the  12th  of 
June,  to  send  forward  Generals  Parsons,  McDougall,  and 
Glover,  with  all  the  Continental  troops,  at  Peekskill,  ex 
cept  one  thousand  effective  men  ;  which  number,  in  con 
nection  with  the  militia  and  convalescent  at  that  post,  was 
deemed  equal  to  the  number  of  the  enemy  then  on  the 
east  side  of  the  Hudson.  The  above  detachments  were 
ordered  to  march  in  three  divisions,  each  to  follow  one 
day's  march  behind  the  other,  and  each  of  the  first  two 
divisions  to  be  attended  by  two  pieces  of  artillery. 

A  few  days  after  this,  while  these  orders  were  in  the 
course  of  execution,  intelligence  was  received,  through  a 
Canadian  spy,  of  the  probable  advance  of  General  Bur- 
goyne  from  that  quarter.  To  provide  against  this  event, 
General  Putnam  was  ordered  still  further  to  reduce  his 
effective  force,  by  holding  four  regiments  of  Massachusetts 
militia  in  readiness  to  go  up  the  river  at  a  moment's  warn 
ing.  He  was  also  directed  to  order  a  sufficient  number  of 
sloops  from  Albany,  to  serve  as  transports  for  the  troops. 


DANGER     ON     THE     NORTH.  295 

Ever  on  the  watch  for  any  intelligence,  which  might 
indicate  the  real  designs  of  the  enemy,  General  Putnam 
was  enabled,  on  the  30th  of  June,  to  transmit  to  his  Com 
mander  papers  or  great  importance,  in  consequence  of 
which  a  new  disposition  was  made  of  the  American  forces, 
and  Putnam,  anticipating  the  wishes  of  Washington,  put  a 
portion  of  his  own  command  in  readiness  to  meet  the  exi 
gency.  In  reply  to  this  communication,  Washington 
wrote,  under  date  of  July  1st,  "The  intelligence,  con 
tained  in  the  copies  of  the  letters  you  transmitted,  is  truly 
important.  It  appears  almost  certain  to  me,  that  General 
Howe  and  General  Burgoyne  design,  if  possible,  to  unite 
their  attack,  and  form  a  junction  of  their  two  armies.  I 
approve  much  of  your  conduct,  in  ordering  Nixon's  bri 
gade  to  be  in  readiness,  and  I  desire  that  it  may  be  em 
barked  immediately,  with  baggage,  to  go  for  Albany,  as 
soon  as  General  Varnum's  and  General  Parsons'  brigades 
are  so  near  Peekskill,  that  they  can  arrive  to  supply  their 
place,  before  any  troops  can  come  up  the  river,  and  effect 
a  landing,  or  as  soon  as  a  number  of  militia,  equal  to  them, 
can  be  got  in.  It  seems  absolutely  necessary  for  you  to 
pursue  the  most  speedy  and  effectual  measures,  to  obtain 
a  respectable  reinforcement  of  the  neighboring  militia.  No 
time  is  to  be  lost.  Much  may  be  at  stake  ;  and  I  am  per 
suaded,  if  General  Howe  is  going  up  the  river,  he  will 
make  a  rapid  and  vigorous  push  to  gain  the  Highland 
passes.  You  will  not  think  of  sending  Glover's  brigade 
to  White  Plains  in  the  present  situation  of  affairs." 

Thus  it  continued  during  a  considerable  part  of  this  per 
plexing  season.  Time  was  consumed,  and  strength  and 
patience  were  tried,  in  marches  and  countermarches, 
which  resulted  in  nothing  but  weariness.  Before  one 
order  was  fully  executed,  it  was  countermanded  by  ano 
ther  of  an  opposite  character.  Before  the  last  of  the  three 


LIFE   OF  GENERAL   PUTNAM. 

divisions  ordered  from  Peekskill  was  ready  to  leave  that 
post,  the  demand  for  its  removal  was  recalled,  and  one  of 
the  others  was  on  its  return,  in  company  with  a  fresh  bri 
gade,  to  reinforce  the  garrison,  now  regarded  as  the  post  of 
peculiar  danger.  General  Clinton  was,  at  the  same  time, 
urgently  requested,  without  loss  of  time,  to  call  out  a  con 
siderable  body  of  the  New  York  militia,  from  the  neigh 
boring  counties  of  Orange  and  Ulster,  to  support  General 
Putnnm,  \vhile  the  latter  called  upon  those  of  Connecti 
cut,  to  swell  the  reinforcement. 

To  meet  these  rapidly  shifting  movements,  and  exe 
cute  skilfully  these  continually  conflicting  orders,  in  con 
nection  with  the  other  arduous  duties  of  his  station,  de 
manded  a  degree  of  activity,  industry  and  talent,  scarcely 
inferior  to  that  of  the  Commander-in-chief,  and  a,  spirit 
and  energy  not  always  to  be  found  in  men  of  three  score 
years. 

But  though  the  labors  of  the  season  were  exceedingly 
arduous,  and  the  perils  of  war  imminent  and  incessant, 
there  was  occasional  opportunity  even  with  the  soldier, 
for  pastime.  And  Putnam,  with  bis  wonted  good  humor, 
seized  every  opening  that  would  justify  a  little  recreation 
for  himself  an^.  his  men.  A  fine  opportunity  was  offered 
on  the  first  anniversary  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
and  liberal  arrangements  were  made  to  improve  it.  It 
was  celebrated  with  feast  and  song,  and  feu  de  joie — 
with  eloquent  speeches  and  patriotic  toasts,  in  which  suc 
cess  to  the  blessed  cause  of  liberty,  and  confusion  to  all  its 
enemies,  were  pledged  as  heartily  and  truly  as  they  have 
ever  been  by  their  successors.  The  concluding  scene  of 
that  day's  sport  was  peculiar  and  emphatic.  On  the  top 
of  one  of  the  rugged  eminences  that  overhang  the  Hudson, 
in  the  vicinity  of  his  post,  Putnam  had  discovered  an  im 
mense  rock,  of  several  hundred  tons  weight,  so  perfectly 


First  Celebration  of  the  4th  of  July  in  the  Highlands.  —  Page  297. 


FOURTH      OF     JULY.  297 

poised  in  its  rest,  that  ar comparatively  small  power,  well 
applied,  would  destroy  its  balance,  and  send  it  thundering 
down  into  the  dark  ravine  below. 

Having  made  his  preparations,  he  drew  up  a  handsome 
detachment  of  his  force  upon  the  height,  accompanied  by 
his  principal  officers,  in  full  uniform,  when,  after  an  ani 
mated  and  amusing  address,  he  gave  orders  for  the  lever 
to  be  manned.  The  mighty  mass  trembled  and  quivered, 
and  fell  with  a  tremendous  crash,  accompanied  by  a  simul 
taneous  discharge  from  the  whole  corps,  and  immediately 
followed  by  the  thunder  of  the  artillery  and  heavy  guns  in 
forts,  whose  echoes  bellowed  and  reverberated  a  long  time 
from  the  heights  and  cliffs  around.  As  the  huge  rock 
toppled  from  its  old  resting  place,  one  party  of  the  officers 
on  one  side  of  it,  shouted  in  admirable  unison — "  So  may 
the  thrones  of  tyrants  fall  !"  And  when  it  settled  into  its 
new  bed  below,  the  other  responded — "  So  may  the  ene 
mies  of  freedom  sink  to  rise  no  more  !" 

The   danger  from  the  north  becomin^  more  imminent, 

O  Z3  * 

by  the  evacuation  of  Ticonderoga  and  its  dependencies, 
and  the  consequent  advance  of  Burgoyne  to  the  vicinity 
of  the  Hudson,  Putnam  was  ordered  to  furnish  General 
Schuyler  with  still  further  aid,  including  ten  pieces  of 
artillery,  with  the  proper  officers  to  direct  in  their  use, 
and  a  considerable  quantity  of  powder  and  ball. 

The  following  order  to  his  aide-de-camp,  Major  Burr, 
appears  under  date  of  the  14th  July: 

"  Pursuant  to  orders  from  his  Excellency,  General 
Washington,  you  are  forthwith  to  repair  to  Norwalk,  Fair- 
field,  and  other  places,  adjacent  on  the  Sound,  and  to 
transmit  to  me  intelligence  of  the  movements  of  the 
enemy.  On  your  return  you  will  pass  through  Litchfield, 
and  leave  orders  for  all  detachments  of  any  regiments 
13* 


298  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

of  Nixon's  brigade,  to  take  the  most  direct  route  to  Al 
bany. 

"ISRAEL  PUTNAM." 

In  the  meantime,  General  Washington,  with  the  army 
under  his  command,  was  gradually  moving  up  towards  the 
Highlands,  on  the  western  side  of  the  Hudson,  and,  by 
the  middle  of  July,  had  advanced,  by  way  of  Pompton 
Plains,  as  far  as  the  Clove,  a  narrow  passage  leading 
through  the  mountains,  about  eighteen  miles  from  the 
river — near  the  entrance  of  which  he  fixed  his  camp. 
From  this  place,  General  Sullivan  and  Lord  Stirling,  with 
their  divisions,  were  successively  sent  across  the  river,  to 
swell  the  already  formidable  force  of  General  Putnam,  the 
main  body  being  held  in  reserve,  to  operate  on  either  shore, 
as  the  movements  of  the  enemy  should  require. 

Having,  on  the  20th,  in  consequence  of  information, 
which  proved  to  be  premature,  advanced  eleven  miles 
within  the  Clove,  General  Washington  addressed  an  ear 
nest  letter  to  Putnam,  requesting  the  mos-t  accurate  and 
detailed  account  of  the  movements  and  designs  of  the 
enemy,  both  by  sea  and  by  land,  his  present  position  being 
in  the  highest  degree  embarrassing  and  perilous.  Putnam 
had,  in  the  meantime,  despatched  General  Sullivan,  and 
other  trusty  and  intelligent  persons,  to  various  points  of 
the  river,  and  the  coast,  to  obtain  such  intelligence  as  could 
be  safely,relied  on.  Having  by  this  means  ascertained, 
beyond  a  doubt-,  that,  the  British  fleet,  with  a  large  num 
ber  of  troops  on  board,  had  passed  the  Hook,  and  put  out 
to  soa,  the'Ermy  returned  into  New  Jersey,  and  prepared 
to  oppose,  with  all  its  fore**',  the  meditated  movement  upon 
Philadelphia  ^(fc^k  Sullivan,  and  Lord  Stirling,  with 
their  divisions,  were  imim-niately  detached  by  General 
Putnam,  in  the  same  direction,  accompanied  by  all  the 


HOWE'S      ILL- MANAGED      RUSE.  299 

field-pieces  at  Peekskill,  except  two  pieces  for  each  bri 
gade  that  remained  for  the  defence  of  that  post. 

The  next  day,  he  received  orders  to  "  keep  as  many  of 
his  remaining  troops,  as  could  possibly  be  spared  from  the 
defence  of  the  forts  and  passes  of  the  Highlands,  in  the 
most  perfect  readiness  to  move,  either  to  the  southward  or 
to  the  eastward,  as  occasion  should  require.  I  do  not  pre 
tend,"  continued  the  letter,  "  to  fix  upon  the  number 
which  may  be  necessary  for  those  defences..  You  and 
your  officers  must  determine  this  point,  proportioning  your 
defence  to  the  troops  left  by  General  Howe  on  York  Island. 
If  you  have  not  already  done  it,  let  the  eastern  States  be 
immediately  advised  of  the  fleet's  sailing  from  the  Hook, 
that  they  may  be  in  a  posture  of  defence,  as  no  person  can 
with  certainty  say  where  the  blow  will  be  struck." 

At  this  critical  juncture,  an  attempt  was  made  to  blind 
the  eyes  of  Washington  as  to  the  real  movements  of  the 
enemy.  A  young  American,  wrho  had  been  a  prisoner  in 
New  York,  was  employed  to  convey  a  letter  from  General 
Howe  to  General  Burgoyne,  with  the  apparent  design  of 
notifying  the  latter  of  the  intended  movements  of  the  for 
mer.  The  messenger — whether  in  obedience  to  his  instruc 
tions,  or  not,  does  not  appear,  but  certainly  in  accordance 
with  the  wishes  of  the  writer — immediately  hastened  to 
Peekskill,  and 'delivered  up  the  letter  to  General  Putnam, 
by  whom,  after  perusal,  it  was  communicated  to  the  Com 
mander-in-chief.  It  was  in  the  handwriting  of  General 
Howe,  and  read  as  follows : 

"  New  York,  20  July,  1777. 

"DEAR  SIR, 

u  I  have  received  your  letter  of  the^Hth  of  May  from 
Quebec,  and  shall  fully  observe  its  contents.  The  expe 
dition  to  B n  [Boston]  will  take  the  place  of  that  up 

* 


300  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

the  North  River.  If,  according  to  my  expectations,  we 
may  succeed  rapidly  in  the  possession  of  B.,  the  enemy 
having  no  force  of  consequence  there,  I  shall,  without  loss 
of  time,  proceed  to  cooperate  with  you  in  the  defeat  of  the 
rebel  army  opposed  to  you.  Clinton  is  sufficiently  strong  to 
amuse  Washington  and  Putnam.  I  am  now  making  de 
monstrations  to  the  southward,  which  I  think  will  have  the 
full  effect  in  carrying  our  plan  into  execution.  Success 
attend  you. 

aW.  HOWE." 

It  was  a  clumsy  plan,  and  clumsily  executed ;  and  pro 
duced  no  other  impression  on  the  mind  either  of  Wash 
ington  or  Putnam,  than  to  establish,  beyond  a  doubt,  the 
design  upon  Philadelphia,  and  hasten  the  march  of  the 
forces  in  that  direction. 

Notwithstanding  this  decisive  movement,  and  the  con 
centrated  interest  which  it  created  towards  the  capital  of 
Pennsylvania,  the  posts  in  the  Highlands  were  still  deemed 
so  important,  and  the  necessity  of  the  possession  of  them 
by  the  British,  in  order  to  a  junction  of  their  two  armies, 
seemed  so  manifest  and  urgent,  that  Washington,  to  use 
his  own  expression,  "  could  not  help  casting  his  eyes  con 
tinually  behind  him."  That  they  might  not  be  left  too 
much  exposed,  General  Sullivan's  division  was  ordered  to 
halt  at  Morris  town,  and  be  in  readiness  to  return,  at  a  mo 
ment's  warning,  if  necessary. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  enemy's  fleet  at  the  Cape  of  Dela 
ware,  General  Putnam  was  directed  to  send  forward  two 
other  brigades,  which  he  had  already,  in  anticipation  of 
the  demand,  transported  across  the  river,  and  put  in  readi 
ness  for  instant  departure.  The  deficiency  thus  created  in 
his  own  garrison,  now  reduced  to  two  thousand  Continen 
tal  troops,  he  was  requested,  if  possible,  to  supply  by  im- 


EDMUND      PALMER,      T  H  E    S  P  Y  .  30 1 

mediate  requisitions  upon  the  militia  of  Connecticut  and 
New  York. 

The  very  next  day,  August  1st,  in  consequence  of  a 
new  ruse  on  the  part  of  the  enemy's  fleet,  all  these  orders 
were  countermanded,  and  General  Sullivan's  division, 
with  the  two  brigades  on  the  western  bank  of  the  Hudson, 
were  directed  immediately  to  return  and  recross  the  river, 
while  the  main  body  of  the  army  prepared  to  follow  with 
all  possible  expedition.  Says  Washington,  in  his  letter  to 
General  Putnam,  on  this  occasion,  "  The  importance  of 
preventing  General  Howe's  getting  possession  of  the  High 
lands  by  a  coup-de-mafa,  is  infinite  to  America  ;  and,  in  the 
present  situation  of  things,  every  effort  that  can  be  thought 
of,  must  be  used." 

By  this  continual  marching  and  countermarching,  in  the 
hottest  season  of  the  year,  the  American  troops  were  more 
harassed,  than  by  all  the  fatigues  and  duties  of  the  cam 
paign,  and  many  of  them  became  so  discouraged  and  dis 
gusted  with  the  service,  as  to  embrace  every  opportunity 
to  desert. 

On  the  third  of  August,  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  who  had 
recently  returned  from  England,  and  now  commanded  the 
British  forces  in  the  City  of  New  York,  sent  up  a  flag  of 
truce  to  General  Putnam,  at  Peekskill.  Edmund  Palmer, 
a  lieutenant  in  a  regiment  of  American  Tories,  had  been 
detected  in  the  American  camp,  in  disguise  as  a  spy,  and 
the  object  of  the  flag  was  to  claim  him  as  an  officer  in  the 
British  service.  The  message,  accompanying  it,  expati 
ated  upon  the  heinous  crime  of  bringing  to  an  ignominious 
death,  by  execution,  a  man  bearing  his  Majesty's  commis 
sion,  and  threatened  signal  vengeance,  in  case  of  such  a 
violation  of  his  person.  The  flag  was  taken  up  the  river 
to  Verplank's  Point,  by  Captain  Montagu,  in  the  ship 
Mercury,  and  thence  forwarded  to  the  camp.  General 


312  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

Putnam   instantly   returned    the    following   characteristic 
reply : 

"  Head  Quarters,  7  August,  1777. 

"  Edmund  Palmer,  an  officer  in  the  enemy's  service, 
was  taken  as  a  spy,  lurking  within  our  lines  ;  he  has  been 
tried  as  a  spy,  condemned  as  a  spy,  and  shall  be  executed 
as  a  spy,  and  the  flag  is  ordered  to  depart  immediately. 

"  ISRAEL  PUTNAM. 
"  P.  S.     He  has  accordingly  been  executed." 

In  the  meantime,  Burgoyne  was  advancing  on  the  north, 
and  the  army  in  that  quarter  stood  greatly  in  need  of  rein 
forcements.  General  Putnam's  post  at  Peekskill  was  the 
only  one  from  which  such  aid  could  be  immediately  sent 
Washington,  addressing  him  on  the  subject,  on  the  7th  of 
August,  remarks,  "  I  would  not  wish  to  weaken  you,  as 
the  enemy  seem  to  bend  their  course  again  towards  you. 
I  desire  that  you,  and  the  general  officers,  would  consider 
the  matter  fully,  and,  if  you  think  that  you  can  spare  Cort- 
landt's  and  Livingston's  regiments,  they  may  be  put  in 
readiness  to  move."  He  also  recommended  highly  the 
plan,  in  which  Putnam  was  engaged,  of  fortifying,  by  va 
rious  works  of  defence,  the  entrance  to  the  passes  in  the 
vicinity  of  his  post. 


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CHAPTER    XXIII. 

COMMAND  IN   THE  HIGHLANDS    CONTINUED.       LOSS    OF  FORTS 
MONTGOMERY   AND  CLINTON. 

Extent  of  Putnam's  command —Relative  position  of  the  forts — Plans 
an  attempt  on  the  posts  of  the  enemy — His  force  greatly  reduced — 
Sir  Henry  Clinton  in  New  Jersey — Detachments  for  the  main 
army  delayed— Peremptory  order  to  hasten  their  march — Militia 
of  little  service — Sir  Henry  Clinton  in  Haverstraw  Bay — Favored 
by  circumstances — Lands  at  Tarrytown — at  Verplank's  Point — at 
Stony  Point — covered  by  a  dense  fog — Diverts  General  Putnam 
from  his  main  object — Gains  the  rear  of  Forts  Montgomery  and 
Clinton — His  advance  resisted — Severe  action — Gallant  assault — 
Putnam  orders  a  reinforcement — Works  carried — Escape  of  part 
of  the  garrison — Putnam  retires  to  Fishkill — Frigates  burnt — 
British  advance,  burning  villages  and  houses — Hearing  of  the 
surrender  of  Burgoyne,  they  return  again  to  New  York — Death  of 
Mrs.  Putnam — Peekskill  retaken — Comments  upon  the  late  dis 
asters. 

SIR  HENRY  CLINTON'S  object  in  sending  the  unfortunate 
Lieutenant  Palmer  into  Putnam's  camp,  was  to  obtain 
accurate  knowledge  of  the  condition  of  that  post,  and  the 
force  stationed  there,  with  a  view  to  turning  his  arms 
against  it.  This  General  Washington  fully  expected,  and, 
accordingly,  wrote  to  General  Putnam,  on  the  llth  of 
August,  as  follows  :  "  If  General  Clinton  is  left  upon  York 
Island,  with  the  number  of  men  you  mention,  it  is  probably 
to  attack  you  below,  while  Burgoyne  comes  down  upon 
you.  It  is  a  matter  of  great  consequence  to  ascertain  that 
fact.  I  beg  you  will  use  every  method  to  come  at  the 


304  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

knowledge  of  his  force."  This  duty  Putnam  faithfully 
fulfilled,  and  obtained,  by  means  of  his  spies,  accurate 
information  respecting  the  strength  of  the  garrison  in  New 
York  ;  which  he  intended,  if  Providence  should  favor  his 
plans,  soon  to  turn  to  good  account. 

General  Putnam's  command  embraced  the  fortified  posts 
in  the.  Highlands,  on  both  sides  of  the  river.  His  head 
quarters  were  at  Peekskill,  on  the  eastern  side.  Forts 
Montgomery  and  Clinton  were  situated  on  the  western 
side — the  former  in  the  township  of  Cornwall,  the  latter  in 
Monroe — being  separated  from  each  other  by  Poplopen 
Kill,  a  narrow  stream,  which  runs  down  from  the  moun 
tains  in  their  rear.  These  forts  were  placed  on  very  high 
ground,  so  that  they  could  not  be  safely  stormed  in  front ; 
and,  being  deemed — as  was  stated  in  tht*  report  of  Generals 
Knox  and  Greene — inaccessible  in  the  rear,  were  con 
sidered,  in  the  ordinary  acceptation  of  the  term,  impregna 
ble.*  They  were  garrisoned  chiefly  by  the  militia  of 
New  York,  who,  to  the  number  of  about  six  hundred, 
were  then  under  the  immediate  command  of  General 
George  Clinton,  Governor  of  the  State  ;  of  whom  General 
Washington  remarked,  in  reference  to  his  command  at 
this  post :  "  There  cannot  be  a  more  proper  man  upon 
every  account." 

Fort  Independence  was  just  under  Anthony's  Nose, 
about  three  miles  below  forts  Montgomery  and  Clinton, 
and  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  It  was  situated  on 
a  high  point  of  land,  in  the  town  of  Cortland,  Westchester 
County.  Fort  Constitution  was  rather  more  than  six  miles 

*  The  mountains  which  commence  five  or  six  miles  below  these 
forts,  are  so  high  and  rugged,  the  defiles,  through  which  the  roads 
leading  to  them  pass,  so  narrow,  and  so  commanded  by  the  heights 
on  both  sides,  that  the  approaches  to  them  are  exceedingly  difficult 
and  dangerous. — MARSHALL. 


DESIGNS     UPON     THE     BRITISH     POSTS.      305 

above  them,  on  an  island,  near  the  eastern  shore.  Peeks- 
kill  Village,  the  general  Head-Quarters  of  the  officer  com 
manding  at  the  station,  was  about  two  miles  below  Fort 
Independence,  with  a  considerable  creek,  or  inlet,  between 
them,  into  which  two  respectable  streams  flowed  from  the 
north  and  east.  The  latter,  being-  Peeks'  Kill,  gives  its 
name  to  the  village,  which  is  included  in  the  town  of 
Cortland.  Continental  Village,  where  most  of  the  stores 
were  deposited,  was  situated  on  high  ground,  in  the  rear 
of  Fort  Independence,  and  about  two  miles  north  of  Peeks- 
kill,  on  the  road  to  Fort  Constitution.  It  was  a  military 
settlement  only — its  population  being  made  up  of  those 
artizans,  mechanics,  and  other  laborers,  who  were  employ 
ed  about  the  various  works  connected  with  the  army. 

Having  a  very  respectable  force  under  his  command, 
and  being  encouraged  by  Governor  Trumbull  to  expect 
large  reinforcements  of  militia  from  Connecticut,  for  that 
purpose,  General  Putnam  formed  a  plan  for  a  very  impor 
tant  blow  upon  the  enemy's  posts.  He  had  informed  him 
self  accurately  of  their  force,  and  the  condition  of  their 
defences  at  Staten  Island,  Paulus  Hook  (Jersey  City), 
York  Island,  and  Long  Island,  and  was  making  his  arrange 
ments  for  a  simultaneous  assault  upon  all  these  posts. 
Extensive  preparations  were  making  for  carrying  this  pian 
into  execution.  In  the  view  of  his  counsellors,  who  were 
able  and  judicious  men,  the  position  of  the  enemy  justified 
the  attempt.  Success,  which  was  probable,  would  be 
attended  with  the  happiest  consequences,  by  wrenching 
from  the  enemy  all  that  he  had  hitherto  gained,  and  get 
ting  possession  of  an  immense  amount  of  valuable  stores 
of  every  description.  This  plan,  which  was  formed  early 
in  September,  was  in  very  promising  progress,  when  the 
demands  for  reinforcements  to  the  main  army  became  so 
urgent,  that  it  was  necessary  to  abandon  it  for  a  season 


306  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

About  a  month  later,  a  similar  attempt,  upon  a  smaller 
scale,  was  suggested  to  Putnam,  by  the  Commander-in- 
chief,  and  a  movement  in  that  direction  was  made,  the 
details  of  which  will  be  given  in  its  appropriate  place. 

General  Sullivan's  division  was  held  in  mcdio,  at  Mor- 
ristown,  till  the  British  fleet  returned  into  the  Chesapeake. 
They  were  then  ordered  to  join  the  main  army  on  the 
Delaware.  General  McDougall  was  also  immediately 
ordered  down  from  Peekskill,  as  well  as  General  Dickinson 
from  New  Jersey. 

The  State  of  New  Jersey  becoming  defenceless  by  the 
withdrawal  of  the  main  army  to  Pennsylvania,  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  seized  that  opportunity  for  effecting  an  incursion 
into  the  country.  His  troops  landed,  in  four  divisions — at 
Elizabethtown  Point,  Schuyler's  Landing  on  the  Hacken- 
sack  River,  Fort  Lee,  and  Tappan — approaching,  at  this 
last  point,  the  vicinity  of  General  Putnam.  The  object  was 
to  drive  off  the  cattle,  and  to  attack  any  small  party  of 
the  enemy  that  might  be  met  with  ;  as  it  was  known  that, 
in  the  divided  state  of  the  American  army,  no  force  of 
much  magnitude  could  at  this  time  be  in  Jersey.  The 
number  of  troops  engaged  in  the  enterprise  amounted  to 
more  than  two  thousand. 

Colonel  Malcom's  regiment,  then  stationed  at  Ramapo, 
just  below  the  entrance  of  the  Clove,  watched  their  mo 
tions,  but  was  not  in  force  to  offer  much  resistance.  A 
party  of  that  regiment,  under  command  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Burr,  who  had  just  been  promoted  to  that  rank, 
and  who  was  ejiger  to  be  engaged  in  some  active  enterprise, 
was  sent  down  to  collect  intelligence,  and  to  prevent  the 
ravages  of  the  enemy's  small  detachments.  There  was 
also  some  skirmishing  with  the  militia  of  the  several 
places  through  which  they  passed.  The  enemy  lost,  in 
this  way,  eight  killed,  and  eighteen  wounded  ;  and,  accord- 


WITHDRAWAL     OF     HIS     TROOPS.  307 

ing  to  the  account  of  their  own  commander,  seventeen 
were  taken  prisoners. 

As  soon  as  General  Putnam  received  intelligence  of  this 
movement,  he  ordered  General  McDougall  to  cross  the 
river,  with  fifteen  hundred  men,  and  advance  to  meet 
them.  The  order  was  obeyed,  but  not  in  time  to  overtake 
the  enemy,  vrho  were  already  retiring  with  their  booty. 

This  incursion  caused  great  alarm  in  New  Jersey,  and 
rendered  it  necessary  for  General  Dickinson  to  leave  be 
hind  him  one  thousand  of  the  militia,  who  were  intended 
to  reinforce  the  army  of  Washington  ;  while  it  occasioned 
some  delay,  on  the  part  of  Putnam,  in  forwarding  the 
detachments  ordered  from  Peekskill — the  necessity  of 
meeting  and  resisting  the  hostile  movements  of  the  enemy 
in  his  own  immediate  vicinity,  being  supposed  paramount 
to  any  order  from  his  superior,  issued  in  ignorance  of  those 
movements. 

The  situation  of  the  main  army  on  the  Delaware  being 
critical  in  the  extreme,  a  further  order  upon  General  Put 
nam  was  issued,  on  the  23d  of  September,  requiring  from 
him  a  further  detachment  of  sixteen  hundred  men,  under 
General  Varnum.  This  was  to  include  the  regiment  of 
Colonel  Malcom,  which  had  been  posted  in  the  Clove,  to 
guard  the  passes  to  the  forts  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river. 
In  consequence  of  the  previous  delay  in  forwarding  the 
expected  reinforcements,  Washington  concludes  his  letter 
thus  :  "  That  you  may  not  hesitate  about  complying  with 
this  order,  you  are  to  consider  it  peremptory,  and  not  to 
be  dispensed  with."  Putnam  was,  at  the  same  time, 
required,  for  the  protection  of  his  own  post,  and  the  passes 
in  the  Highlands,  to  call  in  all  his  outposts,  and,  if  threat 
ened  with  an  attack,  to  get  what  aid  he  could  from  the 
militia. 

These    orders  being  obeyed,  General   Putnam's    fores 


308  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

was  reduced  to  fifteen  hundred — three  hundred  of  whom 
were  militia,  on  whom  no  dependence  could  be  placed. 
Many  of  those  who  had  been  sent  in  to  reinforce  this  post, 
had  deserted,  and  others  became  so  restive  and  uneasy 
that  the  General,  who  well  knew  of  how  little  value  they 
•would  be.  to  the  service,  if  compelled  to  remain  against 
their  will,  suffered  them  to  depart.  The  three  hundred 
who  remained,  were  but  little  better  than  men  of  straw. 
They  would  answer  to  count,  when  it  was  necessary  to 
make  a  fair  show  of  numbers  ;  but  could  not  be  counted 
upon,  in  the  hour  of  danger. 

Knowing  what  heavy  drafts  had  been  made  upon  the 
Highland  fortresses,  and  having  himself  received  conside 
rable  reinforcements  from  Europe,  Sir  Henry  Clinton 
resolved  to  avail  himself  of  the  opportunity  to  attack  them 
with  the  flower  of  his  force,  and  thus,  if  possible,  break 
a  way  through  to  the  assistance  of  Burgoyne.  He  had  an 
eye  also,  in  this  expedition,  to  the  extensive  and  valuable 
military  stores  collected  in  the  Highlands.  Accordingly, 
with  a  force  of  between  three  and  four  thousand  men,  he 
sailed  up  the  North  River,  and  made  his  appearance  on 
the  5th  of  October,  in  Tarrytown  Bay. 

Everything  combined  to  favor  the  movement  of  the 
British  in  this  case.  The  forces  of  the  Americans,  which 
were  not  more  than  half  those  of  the  enemy,  were  neces 
sarily  divided  between  four  points — two  on  each  side  of 
the  river,  and  separated  miles  from  each  other.  All  of 
these  must  be  guarded  alike — the  most  important,  as  well 
as  the  most  exposed,  being  those  on  the  east  side,  which 
covered  the  military  stores  and  provisions  for  the  army. 
While,  therefore,  it  was  incumbent  on  Putnam  to  have  his 
eye  upon  all  these  points  at  once,  with  a  view  to  adapt 
his  defence  to  the  attack,  Clinton  fixed  his  attention  upon 
one  only,  and  concentrated  his  whole  force  upon  that — 


THE      HIGHLAND     POSTS      IN      DANGER.       309 

only  making  such  demonstrations  towards  the  opposite 
side,  as  to  mask  his  real  designs.  This  is  ever  the  advan 
tage  of  him  who  takes  the  offensive  attitude  ;  that,  by  a 
well  managed  feint,  he  can  withdraw  the  strength  of  his 
enemy  from  the  post  where  he  intends  to  strike  his  deci 
sive  blow.  By  this  means,  General  Clinton  succeeded, 
on  this  occasion — being  remarkably  favored  in  the  opera 
tion  by  a  heavy  fog,  which  hung  over  the  river,  and  con 
cealed  the  greater  part  of  his  movements  from  the  view  of 
his  adversary. 

After  some  manoeuvring  in  the  bay,  he  landed  his 
whole  force  at  Tarrytown,  whence  he  marched  about  five 
miles  up  the  country,  with  no  other  object  but  to  mislead 
and  divert  his  enemy,  and  then  returned  at  night  to  the 
landing.  Embarking  again  the  next  morning,  he  proceed 
ed  up  the  river  to  King's  Ferry,  and  made  another  landing 
at  Verplanck's  Point,  about  three  miles  below  Peekskill  ; 
upon  which  General  Putnam  retired  to  the  fortified  heights 
in  his  rear,  covering  the  Continental  Village.  In  the  even 
ing  of  the  same  day,  a  part  of  these  troops  re-embarked, 
and  the  fleet  moved  up  to  Peekskill  Neck,  in  order  to 
mask  their  movements  at  King's  Ferry,  which  was  below 
them.  The  next  morning,  at  break  of  day,  large  detach 
ments  of  more  than  two  thousand  men,  destined  for  an 
enterprise  against  the  fortifications  on  the  western  side, 
landed  at  Stony  Point,  just  opposite  to  Verplanck's  Point, 
and  commenced  their  march  through  the  mountains,  into 
the  rear  of  Forts  Clinton  and  Montgomery.  This  disem 
barkation  was  observed  on  the  other  side,  but  the  state  of 
the  atmosphere  was  such  that  no  estimate  could  be  formed 
^of  its  numbers.  A  large  fire  which  was  soon  afterwards 
perceived  at  the  landing  place,  led  to  the  belief  that  it  was 
only  a  small  party,  detached  for  the  purpose  of  destroying 
the  store-houses  on  that  side.  The  manoeuvres  of  the 


310  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

vessels  confirmed  this  suspicion  ;  and  the  troops  remaining 
at  Verplanck's  Point,  whose  numbers,  though  they  could 
not  be  correctly  ascertained,  were  nearly  if  not  quite  equal 
to  his  own,  fully  satisfied  General  Putnam  that  the  medi 
tated  attack  was  to  be  directed  against  Fort  Independence. 
His  whole  attention  was,  accordingly,  turned  that  way, 
and  every  preparation  was  immediately  made  for  a  resolute 
defence. 

The  enemy  remaining  quiet  at  Verplanck's  Point,  and 
Putnam  not  being  able  to  gain  from  his  pickets  and  scouts 
any  satisfactory  report  of  their  numbers  or  apparent  designs, 
he  went  down,  in  company  with  Brigadier-General  Par 
sons,  and  Adjutant-General  Root,  to  reconnoitre  their  posi 
tion  in  person. 

In  the  meantime,  the  detachments  wrhich  had  landed  at 
Stony  Point  in  the  morning,  were  pursuing  their  march 
towards  the  rear  of  the  mountain  fortresses.  Long  before 
the  fog  had  cleared  away  from  the  bank,  they  were  lost 
to  the  view  of  those  who  were  eagerly  watching  for  them 
on  the  other  side,  and  who  now  supposed  they  had  return 
ed  to  the  ships,  having  accomplished  their  object  of  burn 
ing  the  storehouses.  Avoiding  the  Clove,  which  they 
supposed  too  well  defended  to  be  forced,  they  filed  off  to 
the  west,  and  passing  to  the  rear  of  Dunderberg,  began  to 
climb  the  rugged  and  difficult  passes  toward  Fort  Clinton. 
Leaving  a  battalion  at  the  pass  of  Dunderberg,  to  protect 
his  rear,  and  keep  open  the  communication  with  the  river, 
Sir  Henry  Clinton  formed  his  army  into  two  divisions. 
One,  consisting  of  nine  hundred  men,  commanded  by 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Campbell,  made  a  circuit  by  the  forest 
of  Deane,  in  the  rear  of  Bear's  Hill,  in  order  to  fall  on  the 
back  of  Fort  Montgomery.  The  other,  consisting  of  twelve 
hundred  men,  commanded  by  General  Vaughan,  and  ac 
companied  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton  in  person,  advanced 


THE   WESTERN   FORTS  ATTACKED     311 

slowly  towards  Fort  Clinton,  intending  so  to  time  their 
movements,  as  to  make  their  attacks  simultaneously  upon 
both  fortresses. 

General  George  Clinton,  apprehending  from  the  move 
ments  below,  that  an  attack  on  his  position  was  intended, 
had  despatched  Major  Logan,  on  the  evening  of  Sunday, 
the  5th,  to  gain  intelligence.  He  returned  on  Monday 
morning,  and  reported  the  landing  of  a  considerable  body 
of  troops  at  the  Point,  but  so  dense  was  the  fog,  that  he 
•was  not  able  to  form  any  judgment  of  their  numbers. 
Lieutenant  Jackson  was  immediately  despatched  with  a 
small  party,  on  the  Haverstraw  road,  to  watch  their  mo 
tions.  He  had  not  proceeded  more  than  two  miles,  when 
he  was  attacked  by  a  party  in  ambuscade,  at  a  place  called 
Doodletown.  Returning  their  fire  with  spirit,  he  fell  back 
toward  the  fort.  As  soon  as  the  firing  was  heard,  a  hun 
dred  men  were  ordered  out  to  sustain  him.  They  wer,e 
all  soon  engaged  in  a  brisk  retreating  skirmish  with  the 
superior  numbers  of  the  enemy,  disputing  their  advance 
inch  by  inch,  though  too  weak  entirely  to  repulse  them. 
Their  gallant  opposition,  and  the  roughness  of  the  ground, 
checked  the  progress  of  the  enemy  for  a  considerable 
time. 

Meanwhile,  the  party  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Camp 
bell  was  advancing,  through  the  forest  road,  to  the  rear  of 
Fort  Montgomery.  A  party  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
men,  accompanied  by  a  single  field-piece,  which  was  all 
the  artillery  in  the  fort,  was  ordered  out  to  meet  them,  in 
the  hope  of  being  able  to  hold  them  in  check,  until  a  rein 
forcement,  which  had  been  sent  for,  should  arrive  from 
Peekskill.  From  the  advantageous  position  of  this  little 
party,  they  were  enabled  to  do  immense  execution  upon 
the  enemy,  who  were  several  times  driven  back  in  his 
desperate  attempts  to  gain  the  pass.  At  length,  filing  oft* 


312  LIFE     OP     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

through  the  woods,  upon  the  right  and  left,  they  were 
about  to  surround  the  Spartan  band,  when,  perceiving  their 
danger,  they  made  good  their  retreat  to  the  fort. 

It  was  now  about  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  ;  and  the 
enemy,  in  full  force,  approached  the  works,  and  began  a 
furious  assault,  which  continued  about  three  hours.  At 
five  o'clock,  a  flag  was  sent  up,  to  demand  a  surrender,  in 
order  to  prevent  the  further  effusion  of  blood.  A  spirited 
refusal  was  returned,  and  the  attack  was  renewed.  The 
defence  was  ably  sustained  until  the  dusk  of  the  evening* 
when  the  enemy,  by  the  superiority  of  their  numbers, 
forced  the  works  on  all  sides,  the  garrison  being  too  small 
to  man  the  lines  in  their  whole  extent. 

Through  the  treachery  of  the  messenger,  who  had  been 
despatched  early  in  the  day,  to  solicit  a  reinforcement  from 
General  Putnam,  the  message  did  not  reach  that  officer  ; 
and  he  was  wholly  unacquainted  with  the  movements  of 
the  enemy  on  the  western  side  of  the  river,  and  the  peri 
lous  exposure  of  his  friends  there,  until  it  was  announced 
by  the  report  of  musketry  and  cannon  in  the  first  onset.  He 
was  then  on  his  return  from  Verplanck's  Point,  whither  he 
had  gone  in  person,  as  before  stated,  to  obtain  certain  intel 
ligence  of  the  numbers  and  position  of  the  enemy.  He 
hastened  back  with  all  speed,  to  order  a  suitable  detach 
ment  to  their  support.  In  this  he  was  partially  anticipated 
by  the  promptness  and  decision  of  his  Aid,  Major  Hum 
phreys,  who,  being  alone  at  Head  Quarters  when  the 
firing  commenced,  hastened  to  Colonel  Wyllys,  then  the 
senior  officer  in  camp,  and  earnestly  advised  him,  without 
waiting  for  orders  from  the  General,  to  despatch  all  the 
men  not  on  duty  to  Fort  Montgomery.  Five  hundred 
men  were  instantly  ordered  on  this  service,  under  the  com 
mand  of  the  gallant  Colonel  Meigs,  and  were  ready  to 
march  when  General  Putnam  arrived.  They  were  hur- 


ESCAPE     OF     THE      GARRISON.  313 

ried  forward  with  all  possible  despatch,  having  five  or  six 
miles  to  march  to  the  place  of  debarkation.  Bat  it  was 
too  late.  Major  Humphreys,  in  company  with  Dr.  Beards- 
ley,  a  surgeon  in  his  brigade,  rode  at  full  speed  through  a 
by-path  to  the  river,  to  give  notice  to  the  garrison  that  a 
reinforcement  was  on  its  march.  But,  notwithstanding  all 
their  exertions,  they  did  not  reach  the  fort,  till  it  was  so 
completely  invested,  that  it  was  impossible  to  enter  ;  and 
they  had  the  misfortune  to  be  idle,  though  not  unconcerned 
spectators  of  the  storm. 

The  works  being  carried,  General  Clinton,  with  a  con 
siderable  number  of  his  officers  and  men,  who  were  well 
acquainted  with  the  ground,  were  so  fortunate  as  to  effect 
their  escape,  under  cover  of  the  night,  and  to  reach  the 
other  side  of  the  river,  where  they  found  the  reinforcement 
m  the  act  of  passing  over  for  their  relief.  The  loss  sus 
tained  by  both  the  garrisons,  in  killed,  wounded  and  pri 
soners,  was  about  two  hundred  and  fifty,  more  than  one 
third  of  their  whole  number.  That  of  the  enemy  was 
about  two  hundred  killed  and  wounded. 

Governor  Clinton  arrived  at  Peekskill  about  an  hour 
before  midnight.  A  council  was  immediately  called,  in 
which  it  was  decided  to  be  impossible  to  maintain  the 
post,  against  the  superior  numbers  that  would  undoubtedly 
be  brought  down  upon  it  the  next  da}7.  It  was  conse 
quently  determined  to  retire  writh  the  troops  to  Fishkill,  a 
strong  post  about  twelve  miles  up  the  river,  and  to  com 
mence  immediately  the  removal  of  the  stores. 

The  Continental  frigates,  which  had  been  stationed 
above  for  the  defence  of  the  chain,  were  ordered  down  for 
that  purpose,  by  General  Putnam,  as  soon  as  the  manoeu 
vres  of  the  enemy's  ships  indicated  a  purpose  to  ascend. 
It  being  no  longer  possible  to  defend  the  chain,  after  the 
loss  of  the  forts,  the  frigates  were  burned,  lest  they  should 
1  I 


314  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

fall  into  the  enemy's  hands.  The  boom  and  chain  were 
soon  after  removed  by  the  British,  and  their  ships,  having 
nothing  to  obstruct  their  passage,  moved  up  the  river. 

The  forts  on  the  east  side  having  been  evacuated  imme 
diately  after  the  battle,  as  untenable  against  such  a  supe 
rior  force,  a  large  detachment  of  the  British,  which  had 
been  all  the  day  previous  resting  at  Verplanck's  Point, 
under  the  command  of  General  Tryon,  marched  up  and 
reduced  Continental  Village  to  ashes,  with  several  dwell 
ing-houses  and  other  public  buildings  at  Peekskill — having 
first  secured  the  valuable  stores,  which  it  had  been  neces 
sary  to  leave  behind.  Another  detachment,  under  Gene 
ral  Vaughan,  proceeded  up  the  river,  about  thirty  miles, 
to  Esopus,  a  little  below  Kingston,  on  the  western  shore, 
which  they  also  destroyed — laying  waste  in  their  progress 
many  of  the  scattered  dwellings,  mills,  and  stores,  of  the 
defenceless  inhabitants.  The  same  was  done  at  Living 
ston's  Manor,  and  several  other  places.  This  wanton  and 
useless  destruction  of  private  property,  instead  of  striking 
terror — as  they  designed  it  should — into  the  hearts  of  the 
rebels,  reacted  powerfully  against  the  royal  cause,  and 
gave  a  keenness  to  the  resentment  of  the  injured  party, 
which  outlasted  many  years  the  contest  between  the  two 
nations.* 

*  It  would  be  neither  just  nor  judicious  to  charge  upon  the  British 
nation  an  unusual  want  of  humanity  in  the  conduct  of  their  wars. 
Yet  there  are  many  such  scenes  as  this  recorded  against  them  in  every 
part  of  the  world.  There  was  another  circumstance,  connected  with 
the  battle  above  described,  which  reflects  but  little  honor  on  the  victors 
at  Fort  Montgomery.  While  they  gave  to  their  own  killed  a  decent 
soldier's  burial,  the  Americans  left  upon  the  bloody  field  were  thrown 
in  heaps,  like  so  much  carrion,  into  a  pool  in  the  rear  of  the  fort. 
Dr.  Dwight  who,  in  company  with  several  officers,  visited  the  spot  in 
May,  seven  months  after  the  battle,  thus  describes  the  painful  scene 
which  greeted  them  there:  "The  first  object  which  met  our  eves, 


THE     BRITISH     ABANDON     THE     RIVER.       315 

The  purpose  of  General  Vaughan's  expedition  was  to 
form  a  junction  with  General  Burgoyne,  whom  he  hoped 
to  meet  at  Albany.  But  having,  instead  of  that,  encoun 
tered,  at  some  distance  below  Albany,  the  disagreeable 
and  astounding  intelligence  of  the  surrender  of  that  officer, 
with  his  whole  army,  the  British  general  retired  hastily 
down  the  river,  abandoning  all  the  advantages  he  had 
gained  at  so  much  cost  to  his  enemy.  Forts  Montgomery 
and  Constitution  were  entirely  demolished,  and  fleet  and 
army  returned  to  New  York,  in  twenty  days  after  the 
battle. 

When  General  Vaughan  went  up  the  river,  General 
Putnam  detached  one  division  of  his  force,  under  Governor 
Clinton,  to  follow  him  on  the  west  side,  while  he  proceed 
ed  with  the  other,  on  the  east  side,  to  prevent  their  land 
ing,  and  committing  ravages  in  the  country.  He  had 
advanced  as  far  as  Red  Hook,  about  thirty  miles,  when, 
the  enemy  commencing  his  retreat,  he  returned  to  his 

after  we  had  left  our  barge  and  ascended  the  bank,  was  the  remains 
of  a  fire,  kindled  by  the  cottagers  of  this  solitude,  for  the  purpose  of 
consuming  the  bones  of  some  of  the  Americans,  who  had  fallen  at 
this  place,  and  had  been  left  unburied.  Some  of  these  bones  were 
lying,  partially  consumed,  round  the  spot  where  the  fire  had  been 
kindled ;  and  some  had  evidently  been  converted  to  ashes.  As  we 
went  onward,  we  were  distressed  by  the  fretor  of  decayed  human 
bodies.  As  we  were  attempting  to  discover  the  source  from  which 
it  proceeded,  we  found,  at  a  small  distance  from  Fort  Montgomery, 
a  pond  of  a  moderate  size,  in  which  we  saw  the  bodies  of  several 
men,  who  had  been  killed  in  the  assault  upon  the  fort.  They  were 
thrown  into  this  pond,  the  preceding  autumn,  by  the  British,  when, 
probably,  the  water  was  sufficiently  deep  to  cover  them.  Some  of 
them  were  covered  at  this  time ;  but  at  a  depth  so  small,  as  to  leave 
them  distinctly  visible.  Others  had  an  arm,  a  leg,  or  a  part  of  the 
body,  above  the  surface.  The  clothes  which  they  wore  when  they 
were  killed,  were  still  on  them,  and  proved  that  they  were  militia, 
being  the  ordinary  dress  of  farmers." 


316  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      P  I    T  N  A  M  . 

post  at  Fishkill.  The  plan  of  this  movement  was  com 
municated  to  General  Gates,  who,  having  nearly  complet 
ed  the  terms  of  capitulation  with  Btirgoyne,  replied  :  "  I 
shall  now  have  nothing  but  General  Clinton  to  think  of. 
If  you  keep  pace  with  him  on  one  side,  the  Governor  on 
the  other,  and  I  in  front,  I  cannot  see  how  he  is  to  get 
home  again." 

It  was  in  the  midst  of  these  stirrin^  and  absorbing  scenes, 

O  O  7 

when  heavily  burdened  with  public  cares,  and  overwhelm 
ed  with  the  calamities  which  had  befallen  him  in  his  offi 
cial  capacity,  as  Commander  in  the  Highlands,  that  Gene 
ral  Putnam  was  called  again  to  experience  the  heaviest  of 
domestic  afflictions,  in  the  loss  of  his  wife.  She  died  at 
his  quarters,  about  a  week  after  his  removal  to  Fishkill  ; 
and  it  is  not  improbable  that  her  death  was  hastened,  if 
not  procured,  by  the  exposure,  inconvenience  and  fatigue, 
incident  to  this  sudden  change.  General  Washington, 
writing  to  him  on  the  19th  of  October,  thus  alludes  to  this 
severe  bereavement :  "  I  am  extremely  sorry  for  the  death 
of  Mrs.  Putnam,  and  sympathize  with  you  upon  the  occa 
sion.  Remembering  that  all  must  die,  and  that  she  had 
lived  to  an  honorable  age,  I  hope  you  will  bear  the  misfor 
tune  with  that  fortitude  and  complacencv  of  mind  that 
become  a  man  and  a  Christian 

"  I  am,  dear  Sir,  with  great  esteem,  yours,  &c., 

"GEORGE  WASHINGTON." 

In  the  same  despatch,  which  communicated  these  afflict 
ive  tidings  to  the  Commander-in-chief,  General  Putnam 
announced  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne,  and  the  retaking  of 
Peekskill  and  the  Highland  passes  on  the  east  side  of  the 
river.  His  force  had,  in  the  meantime,  been  swelled  by 
reinforcements  of  militia  to  six  thousand.  "  Last  Mon 
day,"  he  writes,  "  General  Parsons,  with  about  two  thou 
sand  troops,  marched  down  and  took  possession  of  Peeks- 


AN      APPROPRIATE      TEXT.  317 

kill,  and  the  passes  in  the  Highlands.  Yesterday,  about 
forty  sail  passed  up  the  river  crowded  with  troops,  and  are 
at  anchor  above  Poughkeepsie — the  wind  not  favoring. 
We  were  on  our  march  after  them,  when  1  met  the  agreea 
ble  intelligence  of  the  surrender  of  General  Burgoyne — a 
copy  of  which  is  enclosed.*  I  thereupon  most  sincerely 
congratulate  your  Excellency.  I  have  halted  my  troops, 
and  am  now  considering  what  ought  to  be  my  movement. 
I  have  sent  to  Governor  Clinton  for  his  opinion,  and  order 
ed  General  Parsons  to  spare  no  pains  to  find  out  the  situa 
tion  and  strength  of  the  garrison  at  King's  Bridge,  in  order 
to  direct  my  future  operations  most  advantageously." 

Rev.  Dr.  Dwight,  then  one  of  the  most  promising 
young  divines  in  the  country,  was  at  this  time  a  chaplain 
in  the  army,  and  attached  to  the  brigade  under  General 
Parsons.  On  Sunday,  the  19th,  the  day  after  the  receipt 
of  the  cheering  intelligence  of  the  surrender  of  Burgoyn-e, 
he  preached  a  sermon  at  Head-Quarters  from  this  text — 
"  I  will  remove  far  off  from  you  the  northern  army." 
Joel  ii.,  20.  It  was,  of  course,  an  excellent  and  eloquent 
discourse,  and,  in  the  excitement  of  so  interesting  an  occa 
sion,  gave  infinite  satisfaction  to  his  hearers,  the  officers 
and  soldiers  of  the  army.  Putnam,  in  particular,  who 
was  greatly  attached  to  the  preacher,  was  highly  delighted 
with  it,  and  did  not  fail  to  show  his  pleasure,  by  expressive 
looks  and  motions,  during  the  progress  of  the  service.  On 
leaving  the  church,  he  was  very  earnest  in  commending 
the  preacher's  eloquence,  and  the  remarkable  appropriate 
ness  of  his  discourse  ;  declaring,  at  the  same  time,  that 

*  Washington  received  the  first  intelligence  of  this  important 
event  from  General  Putnam.  General  Gates  sent  a  copy  of  the 
capitulation  to  him,  and  despatched  a  special  messenger  to  communi 
cate  the  tidings  to  Congress,  but  gave  no  notice  whatever  of  the 
affair  to  the  Commander-in-chief. 


318  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

there  was  no  such  text  in  the  Bible,  and  tb.e  good  minister 
had  been  guilty  of  a  pious  fraud,  in  making  up  oiV3  for  the 
occasion.  It  was  not  until  the  Bible  was  produced,  and 
the  passage  read  by  his  own  eyes,  that  he  yielded  the 
point — adding,  as  he  did  so,  "  There  is  everything  in  that 
book,  and  Dwight  knows  just  where  to  lay  his  finger 
on  it." 

General  Clinton,  in  his  despatch  to  General  Washington, 
informing  him  of  the  loss  of  Forts  Montgomery  and  Clin 
ton,  concluded  with  the  following  remarks  :  "  I  have  only 
to  add,  that,  where  great  losses  are  sustained,  however 
unavoidable,  public  censure  is  generally  the  consequence 
to  those  who  are  immediately  concerned.  If  in  the  pre 
sent  instance  this  should  be  the  case,  I  wish,  so  far  as 
relates  to  Fort  Montgomery  and  its  dependencies,  it  may 
fall  on  me  alone  ;  for  I  should  be  guilty  of  the  greatest 
injustice,  were  I  not  to  declare,  that  the  officers  and  men 
under  me,  of  the  different  corps,  behaved  with  the  greatest 
spirit  and  bravery." 

The  censure  did  not  fall  on  him  alone.  General  Put 
nam  received  a  large  share  of  it,  as  well  as  the  whole  of 
that  which  referred  to  the  loss  of  the  posts  and  valuables 
on  the  east  side.  The  circumstances  detailed  above,  which 
have  been  collected  with  great  care  from  the  most  reliable 
sources,  would  seem  to  exonerate  him  from  all  blame. 
In  his  own  post,  he  waited  with  prudence  and  firmness  an 
expected  attack,  and  would  undoubtedly  have  resisted  it 
to  the  last,  if  it  had  been  made.  To  have  attacked  Gene 
ral  Tryon  at  Verplanck's  Point,  whose  numbers  were  fully 
equal  to  his  own,  would  have  been  to  expose  his  defences 
to  the  main  body  of  the  British,  whom  he  supposed  to  be 
still  on  board  their  ships  in  the  river,  aiming  at  those  de 
fences.  That  he  was  deceived  by  their  manoeuvres,  espe 
cially  in  the  then  state  of  the  atmosphere,  was  his  misfor- 


VINDICATION      FROM     CENSURE.  319 

tune,  and  not  his  fault.  Other  able  and  judicious  officers, 
who  were  with  him,  were  equally  deceived. 

That  he  did  not  anticipate  an  attack  in  the  rear  of  the 
western  forts,  and  was  surprised  by  it  when  it  was  made, 
indicated  no  want  of  that  prudent  consideration  and  watch 
fulness,  which  are  essential  requisites  to  the  character  of  a 
great  commander.  An  attack  from  that  quarter  had  been 
judged  utterly  impracticable  by  the  able  committee*  of 
officers  who  had  examined  the  ground,  a  few  months  be 
fore.  "  We  are  very  confident,"  say  they,  in  their  report, 
"  that  the  enemy  will  not  attempt  to  operate  by  land,  the 
passes  through  the  Highlands  are  so  exceedingly  difficult." 
This  opinion  is  fully  confirmed  by  the  reports  of  the  British 
officers,  who  were  engaged  in  this  daring  and  difficult 
enterprise.  A  letter  from  one  of  them  to  his  friend  in 
London,  published  in  Almon's  Remembrancer,  speaks 
feelingly  of  "  the  very  many  and  extraordinary  difficulties 
of  this  march  over  the  mountains,"  and  declares  that  they 
were  obliged  to  contend  with  "  every  natural  obstruction, 
and  all  that  art  could  add  to  them."  The  movements  on 
that  side  of  the  river  were  not  seen  by  General  Putnam, 
nor  reported  to  him.  As  soon  as  the  detachments  had  filed 
off  from  the  landing,  they  were  screened  from  his  view  by 
the  mountains. 

As  soon  as  he  was  made  aware  of  the  real  designs  of 
the  enemy,  he  hastened  to  do  all  in  his  power  to  defeat 
them  ;  and  but  for  the  distance,  and  the  difficulty  of  cross 
ing  the  river,  would,  in  all  probability,  have  been  success 
ful.  General  Clinton  says,  "  1  can  assure  your  Excel 
lency,  that  I  am  well  convinced,  if  night  had  not  approach 
ed  rather  too  fast  to  correspond  with  our  wishes,  the  enemy 
would  have  been  disappointed  in  his  expectations,  as  a 
reinforcement  of  five  hundred  men  from  General  Putnam's 
*  See  page  291. 


320  LIFE      OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

army,  were  at  the  east  side  of  the  river,  ready  to  pass  for 
our  relief,  when  the  works  were  forced." 

Marshall  says,  "  The  whole  force  under  General  Put 
nam  did  not  much  exceed  two  thousand."  This  includes 
six  hundred  in  the  forts  on  the  west  side,  and  two  hun 
dred  at  the  Clove,  from  which  Colonel  Malcom's  regiment 
had  been  withdrawn  by  Washington's  orders.  "  Yet 
this  force,"  he  continues,  "though  far  inferior  to  that 
which  General  Washington  had  ordered  to  be  retained  at 
the  station,  was,  if  properly  applied,  more  than  competent 
to  the  defence  of  the  forts  against  any  numbers  which 
could  be  spared  from  New  York.  To  insure  success,  it 
was  necessary  to  draw  the  attention  of  Putnam  from  the 
real  object,  and  to  storm  the  works  before  the  garrisons 
could  be  aided  by  his  army.  This  Sir  Henry  Clinton  ac 
complished." 

In  reference  to  the  above  passage  in  Italics,  it  will  be 
remembered,  that  the  Commander-in-chief,  on  withdraw 
ing  the  greater  part  of  the  forces  from  Peekskill,  to  aid 
his  own  operations  on  the  Delaware,  had  directed  General 
Putnam,  "  in  case  he  was  threatened  with  an  attack,  to 
get  what  aid  he  could  from  the  militia."  On  the  arri 
val  of  reinforcements  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton  from  Europe, 
this  aid  was  immediately  called  for.  But,  to  use  the 
words  of  Governor  Clinton,  who  was  on  the  spot,  "  It 
being  a  critical  time  with  the  yeomanry,  and  as  they  had 
not  yet  sown  their  grain,  and  there  being  at  that  time  no 
appearance  of  the  enemy,  they  were  extremely  restless 
and  uneasy.  They  solicited  General  Putnam  for  leave  to 
return,  and  many  of  them  went  home  without  his  permission. 
Urged  by  these  considerations,  he  thought  proper  to  dis 
miss  a  part  of  them."  As  they  were  New  York  militia, 
brought  there  by  the  order  of  Governor  Clinton,  who  com 
manded  in  person  at  Fort  Montgomery,  it  is  not  reasonable 


VINDICATED    BY    WASHINGTON.  321 

to  suppose  that  they  were  discharged  without  his  consent 
and  approval.  In  speaking  of  it,  he  nowhere  expresses  or 
implies  the  slightest  censure  upon  his  superior.  A  subse 
quent  order  was  issued  by  Governor  Clinton  for  a  portion 
of  these  militia  to  return  ;  but,  before  they  could  arrive, 
the  post  was  lost. 

With  regard  to  the  propriety  of  abandoning  the  posts  on 
the  east  side  of  the  river,  and  retiring  to  Fishkill,  it  was 
determined  on  in  council,  and  has  never  been  called  in 
question  by  any  respectable  authority.  Washington  never 
expressed  any  dissatisfaction  with  the  conduct  of  Putnam 
on  this  occasion.  On  hearing  of  the  landing  of  the  enemy 
at  Verplanck's  Point,  he  remarked,  in  a  letter  to  Gover 
nor  Livingston,  of  New  Jersey,  "  This  circumstance  is 
somewhat  alarming,  as  the  situation  of  our  affairs  this  way, 
has  obliged  us  to  draw  off  so  large  a  part  of  our  force  from 
Peekskill,  that  what  now  remains  there  may  perhaps  prove 
inadequate  to  the  defence  of  it."  It  will  be  seen  hereafter 
that  a  Court  of  Inquiry,  ordered  by  Congress  to  investi 
gate  this  case,  reported,  that  the  loss  was  occasioned  by 
want  of  men,  and  not  by  any  fault  in  the  commanders. 
This  want  of  men,  Putnam  had  used  every  means  in  his 
power  to  supply.  "  He  had  repeatedly  informed  the  Com 
mander-in-chief,"  says  Humphreys,  "  that  the  posts  com 
mitted  to  his  charge  must,  in  all  probability,  be  lost,  in 
case  an  attempt  should  be  made  upon  them  ;  and  that,  cir 
cumstanced  as  he  was,  he  could  not  be  responsible  for  the 
consequences."  General  Washington,  in  replying  to  Clin 
ton's  despatch,  said,  "  I  had  the  greatest  hopes  that  Ge 
neral  Putnam  would  draw  in  as  many  Connecticut  militia, 
as  would  replace  the  Continental  troops,  and  I  make  no 
doubt  but  he  did  all  in  his  power  to  obtain  them  in  time." 
Aid  of  this  kind  could  not  be  drawn  in  at  a  moment's 
warning,  to  such  an  extent  as  to  render  essential  service. 
14* 


322  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

And,  at  this  particular  time,  the  orders  had  gone  out  for 
reinforcements  of  militia,  and  some  detachments  were  on 
the  march,  but  did  not  reach  the  post,  till  it  had  fallen  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy. 


CHAPTER    XXIV. 

DISSATISFACTION    WITH    PUTNAAl's    COMMAND    IN    NEW 
YORK. 

Putnam  reinforced  from  the  northern  army — Projected  enterprise 
against  New  York — Colonel  Meigs's  successful  scout — Move 
ments  on  the  Delaware — Hamilton  commissioned  to  obtain  rein 
forcements  from  Gates — Visits  Putnam  at  Fishkill — Returns  to 
New  Windsor — His  Letters — Severe  animadversions  upon  Putnam 
— Comments  upon  those  letters — Contrasted  with  those  of  Wash 
ington — Prejudices  of  the  people  of  New  York — Their  origin-— 
Washington's  action, language,  and  feeling  with  reference  to  them 
— Governor  Clinton  requested  to  take  the  command  in  the  High 
lands — Explanation  of  the  language  of  Washington  on  that  occa 
sion — Dickinson's  enterprise  on  Staten  Island — Putnam's  diversion 
towards  King's  Bridge — Takes  post  at  New  Rochelle— Successful 
enterprises  against  parties  of  the  enemy — Fires  General  Delancy's 
house — Takes  Colonel  Delancy  prisoner — Descent  upon  Long 
Island- — Success  of  General  Parsons — Colonel  Webb  a  prisoner. 

IMMEDIATELY  after  the  defeat  of  Burgoyne,  large  detach 
ments,  no  longer  needed  at  the  north,  were  sent  forward 
to  Peekskill,  until  General  Putnam's  force,  exclusive  of 
the  militia  from  New  York  and  Connecticut,  amounted  to 
nearly  nine  thousand  men.  Before  General  Washington 
had  received  full  advices  of  the  important  movements  in 
the  north,  he  suggested  to  General  Putnam,  by  letter,  the 
propriety  of  an  attempt  to  cut  off  the  retreat  of  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  to  New  York,  and  to  get  possession  of  the  city  , 
expressing  entire  confidence  in  his  (Putnam's)  judgment 


324  LIFE     OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

and  ability  to  pursue  the  most  proper  and  efficacious  means 
to  secure  the  end. 

Although  the  British   General  had   already  secured  his 

tr> 

retreat  to  New  York,  General  Putnam  immediately  called 
a  council  of  his  principal  officers,  in  which  it  was  unani 
mously  determined,  agreeably  to  the  suggestions  of  the 
Commander-in-chief,  that  four  thousand  men  should  move 
down  the  west  side  of  the  Hudson,  and  take  post  near 
Haverstraw  ;  that  one  thousand  should  be  retained  in  the 
Highlands,  to  guard  the  country  and  repair  the  works  ; 
and  that  the  remainder,  under  command  of  General  Put 
nam,  should  march  down  on  the  east  side  of  the  river, 
towards  King's  Bridge.  The  object  proposed  by  this  dis 
position  of  the  forces  was  to  cause  a  diversion  of  the  enemy 
in  New  York,  and  prevent  a  reinforcement  being  sent  to 
General  Howe  ;  and  it  \vas  doubtless  an  ulterior 'purpose 
to  attack  the  city,  should  a  favorable  opportunity  present 
itself. 

General  Dickinson,  at  the  same  time,  and  with  the  same 
object  in  view,  proposed  a  similar  plan,  in  which  he  ex 
pected  the  co-operation  of  Putnam.  This  plan  also  Wash 
ington  highly  commended,  and  urged  its  immediate  execu 
tion.  General  Putnam  was  deeply  interested  in  this 
movement,  and  bent  all  his  energies  to  secure  it,  but  was 
prevented  from  even  making  the  attempt — in  the  same 
manner  as  he  had  been  a  few  months  before — by  the 
withdrawal  of  his  force,  to  strengthen  the  main  army  on 
the  Delaware.  He  was  doubtless  the  more  desirous  to 
be  the  instrument  of  striking  some  important  blow,  at  this 
time,  as  it  would  not  only  advance  the  good  cause  of  his 
country,  but  in  some  degree  make  amends  for  the  recent 
disasters  in  his  department. 

While  these  projects  were  in  contemplation,  Putnam 
sent  out  some  small  detachments,  to  annoy  the  enemy, 


COL.    HAMILTON'S    MISSION.  325 

and  to  protect  the  country  from  their  ravages.  In  one  of 
these,  Colonel  Meigs,  with  a  division  of  General  Parsons' 
brigade,  made  a  forced  march  to  Westchester,  where  he 
surprised  a  band  of  freebooters,  making  fifty  prisoners,  and 
recovering  a  large  number  of  horses  and  cattle,  which 
they  had  recently  stolen. 

General  Howe  was  now  in  possession  of  Philadelphia, 
and  the  most  vigorous  measures  were  being  made  to  open 
a  communication  \vith  the  fleet  below.  These  measures 
it  was  Washington's  principal  aim  to  defeat ;  and,  suppos 
ing  that  the  British  had  no  further  designs  on  the  north, 
he  felt  that  the  army  in  that  quarter  ought  to  furnish  him 
with  large  and  effective  reinforcements.  To  this  end, 
agreeably  to  the  decision  of  a  council  of  war  convened  for 
that  purpose,  he  commissioned  Colonel  Hamilton  to  pro 
ceed  to  Albany,  to  confer  with  General  Gates  on  the  sub 
ject,  and  procure  all  the  aid  he  could.  He  was,  at  the 
same  time,  directed  to  call  on  General  Putnam,  and  desire 
him  to  send  forward  two  brigades — Nixon's  and  Glover's 
— with  all  possible  despatch. 

On  arriving  at  Putnam's  Head  Quarters,  Colonel  Hamil 
ton  directed  him,  in  the  name  of  the  Commander-in-chief, 
to  forward  the  two  Continental  brigades  named  in  his  in 
structions,  and  another  of  Massachusetts  militia,  consisting 
of  sixteen  hundred  men,  under  General  V\rarner,  whose 
term  of  service  would  expire  in  about  four  weeks.  He 
also  procured  an  order  for  the  instant  despatch  of  the  regi 
ments  previously  called  for,  which  had  been  delayed  partly 
by  the  hope,  on  the  part  of  Putnam,  of  being  able  im 
mediately  to  put  in  execution  his  project  against  New 
York.  It  was  understood,  also,  that,  in  addition  to  these, 
Poor's  New  Hampshire  brigade,  then  just  arrived  from 
Albany,  should  proceed  at  once  to  join  the  main  army. 

Hamilton  then  proceeded  to  Albany,  to  confer  with  Ge- 


326  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM 

neral  Gates.  On  his  return  to  New  Windsor,  just  a  week 
subsequent  to  his  previous  visit,  he  was  greatly  disappoint 
ed  that  the  expected  reinforcements  had  not  gone  forward 
The  statement  can  be  best  understood  from  his  own  letter 
to  Washington,  dated  New  Windsor,  November  10th  :  "  I 
am  pained  beyond  expression  to  inform  your  Excellency, 
that,  on  my  arrival  here,  I  find  everything  has  been  ne 
glected  and  deranged  by  General  Putnam,  and  that  the 
two  brigades,  Poor's  and  Learned's,  still  remain  here,  and 
on  the  other  side  at  Fishkill.  Colonel  Warner's  militia, 
I  am  told,  have  been  drawn  to  Peekskill,  to  aid  in  an  ex 
pedition  against  New  York,  which  it  seems  is  at  this  time 
the  hobby-horse  with  General  Putnam.  Not  the  least 
attention  has  been  paid  to  my  order  in  your  name,  for  a 
detachment  of  one  thousand  men  from  the  troops  hitherto 
stationed  at  this  post.  Everything  is  sacrificed  to  the 
whim  of  taking  New  York. 

"  The  two  brigades  of  Poor  and  Learned,  it  appears, 
would  not  march  for  want  of  money  and  other  necessaries  ; 
several  of  the  regiments  having  received  no  pay  for  six  or 
eight  months.  There  has  been  a  high  mutiny  among  the 
former  on  this  account,  in  which  a  captain  killed  a  man, 
and  was  himself  shot  by  his  comrade.  These  difficulties, 
for  waaat  of  proper  management,  have  stopped  the  troops 
from  proceeding.  *  *  *  By  Governor  Clinton's  ad 
vice,  I  have  sent  an  order,  in  the  most  emphatical  terms, 
to  General  Putnam,  immediately  to  despatch  all  the  Conti 
nental  troops  under  him  to  your  assistance,  and  to  detain 
the  militia  instead  of  them. 

"  My  opinion  is,  that  the  only  present  use  of  troops  in 
this  quarter,  is  to  protect  the  country  from  the  depredations 
of  little  plundering  parties,  and  for  carrying  on  the  works 
necessary  for  the  defence  of  the  river.  Nothing  more 
ought  to  be  thought  of.  It  is  only  wasting  time,  and  mis- 


HAMILTON'S    LETTERS.  327 

applying  men,  to  employ  them  in  a  suicidal  parade  against 
New  York. 

"  If  your  Excellency  agrees  wiih  me  in  opinion,  it  will 
be  well  to  send  instant  directions  to  General  Putnam,  to 
pursue  the  object  I  have  mentioned  ;  for  I  doubt  whether 
he  will  attend  to  anything  I  say,  notwithstanding  it  comes 
in  the  shape  of  a  positive  order.  I  fear,  unless  you  inter 
fere,  the  works  here  will  go  on  so  feebly,  for  want  of  men, 
that  they  will  not  be  completed  in  time.  I  wish  General 
Putnam  was  recalled  from  the  command  of  this  post,  and 
Governor  Clinton  would  accept  it ;  the  blunders  and  ca 
prices  of  the  former  are  endless." 

In  another  letter,  written  two  days  later,  he  says,  "  I 
believe  the  past  delay  is  wholly  chargeable  to  General 
Putnam.  Indeed,  I  owe  it  to  the  service  to  say,  that 
every  part  of  this  gentleman's  conduct  is  marked  with  blun 
ders  and  negligence,  and  gives  general  disgust^ 

Colonel  Hamilton's  order  to  General  Putnam,  above 
alluded  to,  is  in  the  following  pointed  and  authoritative  lan 
guage  :  "  I  cannot  forbear  confessing,  that  I  am  astonish 
ed  and  alarmed  beyond  measure  to  find,  that  all  his  Excel 
lency's  views  have  been  hitherto  frustrated,  and  that  no  sin 
gle  step  of  those  I  mentioned  to  you  has  been  taken,  to 
afford  him  the  aid  he  absolutely  stands  in  need  of,  and  by 
delaying  which  the  cause  of  America  is  put  to  the  utmost 
conceivable  hazard.  I  so  fully  explained  to  you  the  Ge 
neral's  situation,  that  I  could  not  entertain  a  doubt,  you 
would  make  it  the  first  object  of  your  attention,  to  rein 
force  him  with  that  speed  the  exigency  of  affairs  demand 
ed  ;  but,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  he  will  have  too  much  reason 
to  think,  other  objects,  in  connection  with  that  insignifi 
cant,  have  been  uppermost.  I  speak  freely  and  emphati 
cally,  because  I  tremble  at  the  consequences  of  the  delay 
that  has  happened.  Sir  Henry  Clinton's  reinforcement  is 


328  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

probably  by  this  time  with  General  Howe.  This  will  give 
him  a  decided  superiority  over  our  army.  What  may  be 
the  issue  of  such  a  state  of  things,  I  leave  to  the  feelings 
of  every  friend  of  his  country,  capable  of  foreseeing  conse 
quences.  My  expressions  may  perhaps  have  more 
warmth,  than  is  altogether  proper,  but  they  proceed  from 
the  overflowing  01  my  heart,  in  a  matter  where  I  conceive 
this  continent  essentially  interested. 

u  I  wrote  to  you  from  Albany,  and  desired  you  would 
send  a  thousand  Continental  troops,  of  those  first  proposed 
to  be  left  with  you.  This  I  understand  has  not  been  done. 
How  the  non-compliance  can  be  answered  to  General 
Washington,  you  can  best  determine.  I  now,  sir,  in  the 
most  explicit  terms,  by  his  Excellency's  authority,  give  it 
as  a  positive  order  from  him,  that  all  the  Continental 
troops  under  your  command  may  be  immediately  marched 
to  King's  Ferry,  there  tocro.ss  the  river,  and  hasten  to  rein 
force  the  army  under  him.  The  Massachusetts  militia  are 
to  be  detained  instead  of  them,  until  the  troops  coming 
from  the  northward  arrive.  When  they  do,  they  will 
replace,  as  far  as  I  am  instructed,  the  troops  you  shall  send 
away  in  consequence  of  this  requisition.  The  General's 
idea  of  keeping  troops  this  way,  does  not  extend  further 
than  covering  the  country  from  any  little  irruptions  of 
small  parties,  and  carrying  on  the  works  necessary  for  the 
security  of  the  river.  As  to  attacking  New  York,  that 
he  thinks  ought  to  be  out  of  the  question  for  the  present. 
If  men  could  be  spared  from  other  really  necessary  objects, 
he  would  have  no  objection  to  attempting  a  diversion  by 
way  of  New  York." 

The  writer  will  yield  to  no  man  in  respect  for  the  talents, 
and  eminent  public  services,  of  Alexander  Hamilton.  But 
it  is  obvious  to  remark  that,  at  the  period  when  these  let 
ters  were  written,  he  w£s  scarcely  twenty  years  old,  and 


COMPLAINTS     OF     HAMILTON'S     LETTER.    329 

without  any  military  knowledge  or  experience;  while  the 
person,  of  whom  he  speaks  in  terms  of  unsparing  censure, 
and  harsh  disrespect,  was  an  old  soldier,  a  veteran  officer, 
on  whose  head  the  frosts  of  three  score  winters  had  fallen, 
and  whose  martial  virtues  and  martial  deeds,  in  two  wars, 
had  won  the  admiration  of  friend  and  foe  alike,  and 
wreathed  his  brow  with  undying  laurels.  His  opinions 
would  certainly  have  lost  no  weight  in  this  case,  if  they 
had  been  given  in  a  tone  and  manner  more  becoming  his 
relative  position. 

Among  the  published  letters  of  Washington,  there  is  no 
reply  to  these  communications,  from  which  his  opinion  of 
them  may  be  gathered.  In  his  letters  to  General  Putnam, 
on  the  subject,  while  he  makes  it  sufficiently  appear  that 
he  was  disappointed  in  not  receiving  earlier  succor  from 
that  quarter,  his  language  is  uniformly  respectful  and  kind. 

General  Putnam  enclosed  a  copy  of  Hamilton's  letter  to 
General  Washington,  and  added:  "  It  contains  some  most 
unjust  and  ungenerous  reflections,  for  I  am  conscious  of 
having  done  everything  in  my  power  to  succor  you  as  soon 
as  possible.  1  shall  go  to  New  Windsor  this  day,  to  see 
Colonel  Hamilton,  and,  until  I  have  orders  from  you,  I 
cannot  think  of  continuing  at  this  post,  and  send  all  the 
troops  away.  If  they  should  go  away,  I  am  confident 
General  Howe  will  be  further  reinforced  from  this  quar 
ter."  He  then  stated,  in  confirmation  of  this  opinion, 
what  he  knew  of  the  strength  of  the  enemy  in  New  York. 

On  the  receipt  of  this  letter,  Washington  replied  as  fol 
lows  :  "  The  urgency  of  Colonel  Hamilton's  letter  was 
owing  to  his  knowledge  of  our  wants  in  this  quarter,  and 
to  a  certainty  that  there  was  no  danger  to  be  apprehended 
from  New  York,  if  you  sent  away  all  the  Continental 
troops  that  were  then  with  you,  and  waited  to  replace 
them  by  those  expected  down  the  river.  I  cannot  but  say 


330  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

there  has  been  more  delay  in  the  march  of  the  troops, 
than  I  think  necessary;  and  I  could  v»ish  that,  in  future, 
my  orders  may  be  immediately  complied  with,  without 
arguing  upon  the  propriety  of  them.  If  any  accident  en 
sues  from  obeying  them,  the  fault  will  be  upon  me,  and 
not  upon  you." 

It  is  not  proposed  to  claim  for  General  Putnam  entire 
exemption  from  faults,  either  as  a  man,  or  an  officer.  He 
was  probably  somewhat  remiss  in  his  duty  on  this  occasion. 
But  he  was,  by  no  means,  entitled  to  the  severe  remarks  of 
Hamilton.  It  is  evident  that  Washington,  though  he  approv 
ed  of  the  zeal  and  energy  of  his  Aide-de-camp,  must  have 
viewed  the  whole  matter,  as  it  related  to  Putnam,  in  a 
totally  different  light.  For  it  is  hard  to  perceive  how  a 
measure  proposed  by  General  Putnam,  in  which  General 
Dickinson  was  to  bear  a  part,  should  be  regarded  worthy 
to  be  spoken  of  only  as  a  "  hobby,"  a  "  whim,"  and  a 
u  caprice  ;"  while  the  same  measure,  proposed  by  Gene 
ral  Dickinson,  at  the  same  time,  and  embracing  in  its 
arrangements  the  co-operation  of  General  Putnam,  should 
meet  with  entire  approbation  and  respect.  "  Your  idea," 
says  Washington  to  Dickinson,  "  I  think  an  exceedingly 
good  one,  and  I  am  very  desirous  that  you  should  improve 
and  mature  it  for  immediate  execution.  I  am  in  great 
hopes  it  will  effect  the  valuable  purpose  which  you  ex 
pect  ;" — which  was,  to  prevent  General  Howe  from 
receiving  any  further  reinforcements  from  New  York.* 
This  letter  was  written  on  the  4th  of  November,  two  days 
after  Hamilton's  first  interview  with  Putnam,  and  conse 
quently  while  the  former  was  at  Albany.  It  was  only  one 

*  General  Putnam  had  just  learned  from  his  spies,  and  commu 
nicated  to  Washington,  the  fact,  that  four  regiments  were  immediately 
to  be  sent  round  to  the  Delaware  from  New  York.  Writings,  vol.  v., 
page  127. 


TflE      TRUE     STATE      OF      THE      CASE.          331 

week  before  that  interview,  that  Putnam  himself  had 
received  the  first  suggestion  of  the  Commander-in-chief, 
that  a  movement  toward  New  York,  if  well  conducted, 
might  be  safe  and  advantageous.  It  is  impossible,  there 
fore,  to  suppose,  that  Washington  could  have  viewed  the 
designs  of  Putnam  in  this  contemptuous  light,  or  justified 
the  use  of  such  reproachful  terms  in  relation  to  it ;  unless, 
for  the  time,  he  was  wholly  divested  of  that  consistency 
and  sense  of  justice,  for  which  he  was  eminently  distin 
guished. 

It  cannot  fail  to  strike  the  most  careless  reader  as  sin 
gular,  that  while,  in  one  paragraph,  it  is  represented,  that 
"  everything  had  been  neglected  and  deranged  by  General 
Putnam,"  and  that  Poor's  and  Learned's  brigades  were 
detained  at  Fishkill  by  his  fault  alone,  the  very  next  para 
graph  begins  with  the  acknowledgment,  that  "  the  two  bri 
gades  of  Poor  and  Learned  would  not  march,  for  want  of 
money  and  other  necessaries — several  of  the  regiments  having 
received  no  pay  for  six  or  eight  months.  There  has  been 
a  high  mutiny  on  this  account,"  &c.  That  this  was  the 
only  real  difficulty  in  the  way,  there  is  no  doubt ;  and 
there  is  ample  evidence  that  Putnam  used  every  means  in 
his  power  to  overcome  it.  His  letters  to  the  Commander- 
in-chief  on  the  subject  were  frequent  and  pressing  ;  and 
Washington  called  the  special  attention  of  Congress  to  the 
matter,  on  the  10th  of  November — the  very  date  of  Ham 
ilton's  second  and  severe  letter — in  the  following  words  : 
"  I  would  beg  leave  to  mention,  that  we  are  in  great  dis 
tress  for  want  of  money.  This  will  be  more  urgent  every 
day  ;  and  it  is  probable  there  will  be  a  good  deal  of  pay 
due  to  the  troops  coming  to  reinforce  us.  General  Putnam 
writes  pressingly  for  a  supply,  and  says  he  is  in  the  most  dis 
agreeable  situation  for  want  of  it." 

If  the  troops  "  would  not  march  "  without  their  arrears 


332  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

of  pay,  resisting  even  to  mutiny  and  blood  ;  and  if,  with 
the  aid  of  the  eloquent  Governor  Clinton,  Hamilton  could 
not  himself  induce  them  to  march,  till  he  had  borrowed 
six  thousand  dollars  to  meet  this  very  difficulty,  it  would 
seem  that  he  might  have  spared  the  old  veteran  some  por 
tion  of  those  severe  reflections.  The  mutiny  took  place 
before  Hamilton's  arrival.  Against  whom  did  they  mutiny, 
if  not  against  him  who  ordered  them  to  march  ?  And  who 
had  issued  that  order  but  the  commander  of  the  post  ? 

The  truth  is,  there  was  a  prejudice  against  Putnam, 
among  the  people  of  New  York,  and  the  political  leaders 
had  determined  to  have  him  removed  from  the  command 
in  the  Highlands.*  The  precise  grounds  of  this  prejudice 
do  not  distinctly  appear.  If  it  was  an  alleged  incompe 
ten-cy  to  such  a  command,  it  is  manifest  that  they  differed 
widely  in  their  judgment  from  Washington,  who  had  had 
far  better  opportunities  to  know  and  judge  of  his  qualifica 
tions.  Colonel  Humphreys  says  :  "The  indulgence  which 
he  showed,  whenever  it  did  not  militate  against  his  duty, 
towards  the  deserted  and  suffering  families  of  the  tories  in 
the  State  of  New  York,  was  the  cause  of  his  becoming 
unpopular  with  no  inconsiderable  class  of  people  in  that 
State.  On  the  other  side,  he  had  conceived  an  uncon 
querable  aversion  to  many  of  the  persons  who  were  en 
trusted  with  the  disposal  of  tory  property,  because  he 
believed  them  to  have  been  guilty  of  peculations,  and 
other  infamous  practices." 

Dr.  Sparks  observes  :  "  It  must  be  remembered,  that  at 
this  station  there  were  innumerable  applications  for  pass 
ports  to  go  into  New  York,  under  the  pretence  of  urgent 
business,  and  various  matters  of  a  private  concern  ;  and  it 
was  thought  General  Putnam's  good  nature  was  too  pliant 
on  these  occasions,  and  that  too  many  opportunities  were 
*  Appendix,  No.  3. 


WASHINGTON'S    OPINION.  333 

afforded  for  an  improper  intercourse  between  the  disaffect 
ed  and  the  enemy.  At  any  rate,  the  symptoms  of  uneasi 
ness  appeared  from  such  high  sources,  and  were  so  decid 
edly  manifested,  that  General  Washington  deemed  it 
necessary  to  take  notice  of  them,  and  change  the  com 
mand  " 

In  recalling  General  Putnam  from  this  command,  Wash 
ington,  hy  the  clearest  implication,  disavows  any  and  every 
ground  of  censure  or  disapprobation,  on  his  own  part. 
"  My  reason  for  making  this  change,"  he  says,  "  is  owing 
to  the  prejudices  of  the  people,  which,  whether  well  or 
ill  grounded,  must  be  indulged  ;  and  I  should  think  myself 
wanting  in  justice  to  the  public,  and  candor  towards  you, 
were  I  to  continue  you  in  a  command,  after  I  have  been 
in  almost  direct  terms  informed,  that  the  people  of  the 
State  of  New  York  will  not  render  the  necessary  support 
and  assistance,  while  you  remain  at  the  head  of  that  de 
partment."  Here  is  no  intimation  of  incompetency  or 
unfaithfulness,  or  of  any  reason,  so  far  as  the  Commander- 
in-chief  was  concerned,  why  General  Putnam  should  not 
retain  the  station  he  had  held.  It  is  clearly  implied  that, 
but  for  "  the  prejudices  of  the  people,"  he  would  not  have 
been  removed,  and  consequently,  that  neither  Washing 
ton's  wishes,  nor  Washington's  private  views  of  the  good 
of  the  service,  required  his  removal.  And  this  was  writ 
ten  in  March,  five  months  after  Hamilton's  mission. 

On  the  28th  of  November,  a  Court  of  Inquiry  was  order 
ed  by  Congress,  to  investigate  the  causes  of  the  loss  of 
Forts  Montgomery  and  Clinton.  This  order  was  not  exe 
cuted  by  Washington  until  the  16th  of  March  following, 
though  he  had  long  before  decided,  that  the  wishes  of  New- 
York  should  be  regarded,  in  relation  to  the  command  of  the 
Highlands,  as  appears  by  his  letter  to  General  Gates,  of 
the  2d  of  December  Four  days  after  the  passage  of  this 


3cJ4  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

order,  Washington  addressed  a  letter  to  Governor  Clinton, 
requesting  his  acceptance  of  that  post.  In  urging  this 
point,  he  makes  use  of  the  following  argument,  which 
demands,  in  this  connection,  a  word  of  explanation. 
"  You  may  rest  assured,"  says  he,  "  that  there  are  no  im 
pediments  on  the  score  of  delicacy,  or  superior  command, 
that  shall  not  be  removed." 

Governor  Clinton  was  a  man  of  eminent  ability,  and 
unbounded  influence  in  New  York,  and  no  better  selection 
could  have  been  made,  on  both  these  accounts.  But  his 
rank  in  the  Continental  army  was  only  that  of  a  brigadier- 
general,  of  recent  appointment.  Not  only  every  major- 
general  in  the  army,  therefore,  but  all  the  brigadiers, 
among  whom  were  some  of  the  ablest  and  most  popular 
men  on  the  list,  were  implicated  in  this  remark.  It  could 
not  be  tortured  into  a  disrespectful  reference  to  General 
Putnam,  inasmuch  as  his  removal  had  already  been  de 
cided  upon,  on  entirely  different  grounds,  and  an  inquiry 
had  been  ordered,  which  rendered  necessary  a  temporary 
suspension  from  all  command. 

I  To  return  to  the  narrative,  though  Putnam's  force  was 
now  greatly  reduced,  he  was  not  inactive.  The  continual 
changes  which  were  taking  place  in  his  command — the 
removal  of  his  men  from  place  to  place — the  miserable, 
broken,  half-hearted  service  rendered  by  the  militia — and 
the  extreme  destitution,  at  times,  of  money,  and  of  many 
of  the  comforts  and  necessaries  of  life,  made  it  altogether 
an  unenviable  post,  and  occasioned  considerable  delay  in 
the  prosecution  of  the  repairs  on  the  defences,  which  had 
been  demolished  by  the  British. 

Not  long  after  th-e  continental  troops  had  been  with 
drawn,  General  Putnam  moved  down,  with  a  part  of  the 
forces  that  remained,  and  approached  the  enemy's  posts 
on  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson.  On  the  27th  of  No  vein- 


PARTIZAN      ENTERPRISES.  335 

ber,  General  Dickinson  made  a  descent  upon  Staten  Island, 
with  about  fourteen  hundred  men.  He  landed,  before 
daylight,  at  Halstead's  Point,  in  three  divisions,  which 
marched  into  the  island  seven  miles,  by  three  different 
routes,  and  uu>t  at  the  appointed  place  of  rendezvous. 
The  principal  object  of  this  expedition  was  to  surprise 
General  Skinner,  the  celebrated  tory  refugee,  and  General 
Campbell,  who  were  stationed  there.  The  most  profound 
secresy  was  observed  as  to  the  design  of  the  expedition — 
few  even  of  the  officers  knowing  anything  of  their  destina 
tion,  till  the  very  moment  of  starting.  And  yet  General 
Skinner  received  intelligence  of  their  approach,  in  season 
to  effect  his  escape,  with  the  main  body  of  his  force. 
Some  skirmishes  ensued,  and  five  or  six  of  the  enemy 
were  killed,  and  twenty-four  taken  prisoners.  General 
Dickinson  returned  without  effecting  his  object,  but  he 
received  the  commendation  of  Washington  on  his  enter 
prise,  and  the  judgment  he  had  shown  in  arranging  his 
plan. 

To  aid  this  enterprise,  and  at  the  request  of  General 
Dickinson,  Putnam  sent  out  Parsons  and  Warner,  with 
their  brigades,  towards  King's  Bridge,  to  make  a  diversion 
in  that  quarter.  Putnam  reconnoitred  in  person  within 
three  miles  of  King's  Bridge.  But,  finding  no  opportunity 
to  operate  with  effect  on  that  point,  he  diverged  to  New 
Hochelle,  where  he  made  a  disposition  to  cross  over  to 
Long  Island,  and  attack  the  forts  at  Huntington  and  Satau- 
ket.  But  the  enemy  received  warning,  in  season  to 
evacuate  the  forts  before  his  preparations  for  embarkation 
were  completed. 

Having  received  intelligence  that  small  parties  «of  the 
enemy  were  out,  under  the  orders  of  Governor  Tryon,  to 
lay  waste  the  property  of  the  unprotected,  Putnam  imme 
diately  detached  three  parties  of  one  hundred  m;>n  each, 


336  LIFE     OP     GENERAL     PTJTNA'M. 

to  prevent  their  depredations.  Two  of  them  were  suc 
cessful  in  their  manoeuvres,  and  returned,  one  with  thirty 
five,  and  the  other  with  forty  prisoners.  The  third  party 
of  the  enemy  succeeded  in  effecting  their  purpose,  so  far 
as  to  burn  the  house  of  a  Mr.  Van  Tassel,  a  noted  whig, 
and  a  member  of  the  committee  of  safety,  compelling  him 
to  accompany  them  naked  and  barefooted,  over  frozen 
ground  and  ice,  to  their  quarters.  Determined  to  show 
the  enemy  that  firing  houses  was  a  game  which  two  could 
play  at,  and  that  the  loss  was  not  necessarily  all  on  one 
side,  General  Putnam  directed  Captain  Buchanan  to  cross 
over  to  York  Island  in  a  whale-boat,  and  fire  the  house  of 
General  Oliver  Delancy,  one  of  the  leading  loyalists  of 
that  place.  This  act  of  justifiable  retaliation  had,  for  a 
time,  the  desired  effect,  of  arresting  this  species  of  unmean 
ing  and  wanton  destruction. 

About  the  same  time,  one  of  Putnam's  scouting  parties, 
learning  that  Colonel  James  Delancy  was  at  West  Farms, 
a  little  below  Westchester,  determined  to  make  him  a 
prisoner.  They,  accordingly,  surrounded  the  house  where 
he  lodged,  and  proceeded  to  search  it.  When  the  alarm 
was  given,  he  jumped  out  of  bed,  and  endeavored  to  con 
ceal  himself  under  it.  But  he  was  soon  discovered,  drag 
ged  forth,  and  carried  to  Head-Quarters.  He  was  a  tory 
of  too  much  value  to  be  spared  long,  and  Sir  Henry  Clin 
ton  soon  found  means  to  effect  an  exchange  for  him.  He 
was  afterward  leader  of  a  gang  of  irregulars,  or  bandits, 
known  by  the  name  of  cowboys,  and  made  himself  infa 
mously  immortal,  by  every  species  of  cruelty  and  excess. 

Though  the  season  was  far  advanced  into  winter,  and 
ihe  weather  was  very  severe,  another  and  more  serious 
enterprise  was  undertaken  by  General  Putnam,  the  execu 
tion  of  which  was  entrusted  to  General  Parsons  and 
Colonel  Webb.  The  object  was  a  descent  upon  Long 


DESCENT      UPON     LONG     ISLAND.  337 

Island,  having  four  objects  in  view  :  to  destroy  a  quantity 
of  lumber,  which  the  enemy  was  preparing,  at  the  east 
end  of  the  island,  for  the  erection  of  new  barracks  in  New 
York — to  set  fire  to  a  number  of  coasting  vessels,  at  the 
same  place)  loading  with  wood  for  the  British  forces  at 
Newport  —  to  attack  a  regiment,  then  quartered  about 
eight  miles  east  of  Jamaica — and  to  remove,  or  destroy, 
whatever  public  stores  they  should  find  on  the  island. 

By  the  plan  of  operations,  General  Parsons  was  to  exe 
cute  the  first  part,  at  the  east  end  of  the  island  ;  Colonel 
Meigs  was  to  land  at  Hempstead  Harbor,  and  attack  the 
regiment  near  Jamaica  ;  and  Colonel  Webb  was  to  land 
near  Huntington,  to  support  Meigs,  and  to  render  such 
aid  to  the  eastern  division,  under  Parsons,  as  might  be 
required.  Meigs  was  prevented  from  crossing  the  Sound, 
by  the  unfavorable  state  of  the  weather.  The  other  two 
divisions  started  with  fair  prospects  ;  but,  unfortunately 
for  Colonel  Webb,  he  encountered  in  his  passage  the 
British  sloop-of-vvar  Falcon.  Being  only  in  a  common 
transport,  without  guns,  he  could  not  offer  battle,  or 
attempt  a  defence.  In  endeavoring  to  escape,  he  was 
driven  on  shore  so  fur  from  the  beach,  that  he  and  all  his 
party  were  taken  prisoners.  They  attempted  to  reach 
the  land  in  boats  ;  but  the  surf  ran  so  high  that  the  boats 
were  swamped  the  moment  they  touched  the  water, 
and  'they  had  no  remedy  but  to  give  themselves  up  to 
the  foe. 

General  Parsons  effected  his  landing  in  safety,  and  suc 
ceeded  in  destroying  a  large  quantity  of  timber,  boards, 
and  wood,  and  one  of  the  enemy's  vessels.  Captain  Hart, 
of  this  party,  with  a  detachment  of  forty  men,  attacked  a 
number  of  boats  near  the  shore,  killing  eight,  and  wound 
ing  eleven — among  whom  was  the  captain  of  one  of  the 
British  sloops-of-vvar.  General  Parsons  leturned,  with 


338  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

his  whole  party  unhurt,  and  twenty  of  the  enemy  pri 
soners.  The  loss  of  the  other  party,  by  the  Falcon,  was 
sixty-five  :  viz.  Colonel  Webb,  with  four  officers,  twenty 
privates  of  his  continental  regiment,  and  forty  militia,  all 
picked  men. 


CHAPTER    XXV. 

NEW    FORTIFICATIONS    IN    THE    HIGHLANDS.        PUTNAM 
DISPLACED    FROM    THE    COMMAND. 

Condition  of  the  defences  in  the  Highlands— West  Point  selected  as 
the  principal  post — Radiere  prefers  Fort  Clinton—Putnam  con 
sults  the  Legislature  of  New  York— To  whom  is  the  credit  of  this 
selection  due  1 — Works  commenced  in  January — Wretched  state 
of  the  army — Putnam's  letter  on  that  point,  and  the  obstructions  in 
the  river— He  goes  to  Connecticut — The  Court  of  Inquiry  into  the 
causes  of  the  loss  of  Forts  Montgomery  and  Clinton — Putnam 
superseded  by  General  McDougall — Decision  of  the  Court,  exone 
rating  Putnam  from  all  blame — Ordered  to  Connecticut,  to  raise 
recruits — Takes  command  of  the  right  wing— Stationed  at  Dan- 
bury — Ctuells  a  mutiny — Perilous  adventure  at  Horseneck — Ope 
rations  on  the  North  River — Putnam  in  command  at  the  Clove  — 
Wayne's  success  at  Stony  Point — Putnam's  command  near  West 
Point — His  name  given  to  the  principal  fort—Results  of  the  cam 
paign. 

ABOUT  the  middle  of  December,  General  Putnam,  by 
direction  of  the  Commander-in-chief,  returned  to  his  post 
in  the  Highlands,  with  instructions  to  employ  his  whole 
force,  and  all  the  means  in  his  power,  for  erecting  and 
completing,  as  far  as  possible,  such  works  and  obstructions 
as  might  be  necessary  to  defend  and  secure  the  river 
against  any  future  attempts  of  the  enemy.  With  a  view 
to  the  more  diligent  prosecution  of  these  works,  he  wus 
advised  to  confine  his  attention  exclusively  to  them,  with 
out  attempting  any  active  measures  to  annoy  the  enemy 
or  to  protect  the  country  against  his  incursions.. 


340  LIFE      OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

All  the  forts,  and  other  works  of  defence  in  the  High 
lands,  had  been  entirely  demolished  by  the  British,  during 
their  twenty  days'  occupancy  ;  and  it  now  became  a  ques 
tion  of  importance  whether  these  should  be  restored  in 
their  former  positions,  or  new  and  more  eligible  places 
selected  for  the  purpose.  There  were  differences  of  opi 
nion  on  this  subject,  among  those  whose  interest  and  co 
operation  were  essential  to  its  progress.  And  it  was  this, 
together  with  the  pressing  want  of  money,  and  the  poverty 
and  hard  fare  of  the  soldiers,  which  occasioned  the  delay 
in  the  prosecution  of  the  works,  so  often  complained  of  by 
Washington  in  his  letters  ;  and  not  any  want  of  activity  or 
zeal  on  the  part  of  General  Putnam. 

With  a  view  to  settle  this  question  definitely  and  for 
ever,  and  proceed  vigorously  with  the  work,  a  thorough 
survey  of  the  whole  region  was  made  in  the  early  part  of 
January,  by  General  Putnam,  accompanied  by  Governor 
Clinton,  General  James  Clinton,  and  several  other  distin 
guished  gentlemen — among  whom  was  Colonel  Radiere, 
\  French  engineer  of  some  celebrity.  All,  except  Ra- 
vifire,  united  in  the  opinion  that  West  Point  was  the  most 
Higible  place  to  be  fortified.  Radiere  opposed  this  deci 
sion  wilh  considerable  vehemence,  and  drew  up  a  memo 
rial,  designed  to  show  that  the  site  of  Fort  Clinton  pos 
sessed  advantages  much  superior  to  West  Point.  The 
British  commander,  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  and  his  associates, 
seem  to  have  entertained  the  same  high  opinion  of  the 
advantageous  position  of  Fort  Clinton  ;  for,  while  they 
demolished  all  the  other  forts,  they  commenced  repairing 
and  strengthening  that,  for  future  operations.  It  is  possi 
ble  that  this  circumstance  may  have  had  some  influence  in 
affecting  the  decision  of  Radiere. 

As  the  French  engineer  was  a  man  of  science,  and  pos 
sessed  the  confidence  of  Congress  and  the  Commander-in- 


FORTIFICATIONS     AT     WEST     POINT.       341 

chief,  it  was  deemed  expedient  by  General  Putnam  to 
consult  the  Council  and  Assembly  of  New  York,  before 
he  came  to  a  final  determination.  At  his  suggestion,  a 
committee  was  appointed  by  those  bodies,  who  were  em 
ployed  three  days  in  carefully  reconnoitring  the  borders 
of  the  river  in  the  Highlands,  and  attending  to  all  the 
suggestions  of  the  more  experienced  military  men  who 
accompanied  them,  in  reference  to  the  several  points  deem 
ed  most  capable  of  defence.  After  a  patient  and  careful 
examination  of  every  position,  and  every  argument,  they 
decided  unanimously  in  favor  of  West  Point— thus  agree 
ing  with  every  person  authorized  to  act  in  the  affair,  ex 
cept  the  engineer.  It  was  accordingly  decided,  on  the 
13th  of  January,  that  the  fortifications  should  be  erected 
at  West  Point.  Colonel  RadiSre  was  sorely  piqued  at 
this  result,  and  manifested  his  ill-will  on  the  occajjon  by 
a  petulant,  unaccommodating  behavior,  and  by  the  over 
bearing  manner  in  which  he  presented  his  estimates  and 
requisitions, — which  were  altogether  disproportioned  to 
the  finances  of  the  government,  and  only  served,  as  Hum 
phreys  remarks,  "  to  remind  them  of  their  poverty,  and 
satirize  their  resources."  He  was  not  long  after  replaced 
by  the  celebrated  Kosciusko  ;  after  which  the  works  went 
forward  with  more  spirit. 

Colonel  Humphreys,  who  was  on  the  spot  at  the  time, 
claims  for  General  Putnam  the  whole  merit  of  the  selec 
tion  of  this  post ;  and  adds — "  It  is  no  vulgar  praise  to 
say,  that  to  him  belongs  the  glory  of  having  chosen  this 
rock  of  our  military  salvation.  The  position  for  water- 
batteries,  which  might  sweep  the  channel  where  the  river 
formed  a  right  angle,  made  it  the  most  proper  of  any  for 
commanding  the  navigation  ;  while  the  rocky  ridges  that 
rose  in  awful  sublimity  behind  each  other,  rendered  it 
impregnable  and  even  incapable  of  being  invested  by  less 


342  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

than  twenty  thousand  men.  The  British,  who  considered 
this  post  as  a  sort  of  American  Gibraltar,  never  attempted 
it  but  by  the  treachery  of  an  American  officer." 

It  is  impossible  to  say  to  whom  the  credit  of  originality, 
in  this  case,  belongs ;  nor  is  it  a  matter  of  much  impor 
tance  with  reference  to  men  who  had  so  many  other  and 
more  substantial  titles  to  fame.  The  first  recorded  sug 
gestion  in  reference  to  this  point,  of  which  we  have  any 
knowledge,  is  contained  in  the  letter  of  Governor  Clinton 
to  General  Washington,  dated  December  20th,  about  tw:> 
weeks  before  the  survey  above  spoken  of.  After  declin 
ing,  for  reasons  of  state,  the  proffered  command  in  the 
Highlands,  he  freely  offers  his  advice  and  assistance,  wher 
ever  and  by  whomsoever  they  may  be  needed  —  gives 
several  important  hints  respecting  the  construction  of  new 
works  on  the  river — and  especially  recommends  that  a 
"  strong  fortress  should  be  erected  at  West  Point,  opposite 
to  Fort  Constitution." 

Before  the  close  of  January,  when  the  snow  was  two 
feet  deep,  General  Parsons,  with  his  brigade,  went  over 
to  West  Point  and  broke  ground.  It  is  difficult,  at  this 
day,  to  conceive  of  the  many  impediments  which  then 
existed,  in  the  way  of  completing  such  necessary  works  ; 
or  the  toil  and  suffering  involved  in  their  prosecution. 
The  better  to  understand  and  appreciate  it,  the  reader 
should  remember  that  it  was  the  same  memorable  season, 
when  Washington,  with  his  wasted,  half-clothed,  half-fed 
army,  was  freezing  in  his  comfortless  winter  quarters,  at 
Valley  Forge.  The  marvel  is,  how  such  an  army  was 
held  together  at  all,  under  such  circumstances  ;  and  how 
•works  of  any  description  could  go  forward  by  the  agency 
of  men  so  poorly  paid,  so  miserably  provided  for.  And 
yet,  such  was  the  energy  and  zeal  displayed  by  all  con 
cerned,  that  the  works  went  forward  with  unexpected 


OBSTRUCTIONS      IN      THE      RIVER.  343 

rapidity  and  success.  It  was  in  forwarding  and  encourag 
ing  these  works,  observes  Colonel  Humphreys,  u  that  the 
patriotism  of  Governor  Clinton  shone  in  full  lustre.  His 
exertions  to  forward  supplies  can  never  be  too  much  com 
mended.  His  influence,  arising  from  his  popularity,  was 
unlimited  ;  yet  he  hesitated  not  to  put  all  his  popularity  at 
risk,  whenever  the  federal  interests  demanded  it.  Not 
withstanding  the  impediments  that  opposed  our  progress, 
with  his  aid,  before  the  opening  of  the  campaign,  the  works 
were  in  great  forwardness." 

Fortifications  alone  were  not  regarded  as  sufficient  for 
the  purpose  of  guarding  the  river,  without  other  contri 
vances  to  obstruct  the  passage  of  ships.  Resort  was, 
therefore,  to  be  had  to  chains,  booms,  and  chevaux-de-frise, 
as  before  at  Fort  Montgomery.  All  these  works  were  in 
the  course  of  preparation  together. 

On  the  thirteenth  of  February,  one  month  after  the  site 
had  been  determined  upon,  General  Putnam  wrote  to  the 
Commander-in-chief,  as  follows :  "  At  my  request,  the 
Legislature  of  this  State  have  appointed  a  committee,  to 
fix  the  places  and  manner  of  securing  the  river,  and  to 
afford  some  assistance  in  expediting  the  work.  The  state 
of  affairs  now  at  this  post,  you  will  please  to  observe,  is  as 
follows  :  The  chain  and  necessary  anchors  are  contracted 
for,  to  be  completed  by  the  first  of  April  ;  and,  from  the 
intelligence  I  have  received,  there  is  reason  to  believe  they 
will  be  finished  by  that  time.  Parts  of  the  boom  intended 
to  have  been  used  at  Fort  Montgomery,  sufficient  for 
this  purpose,  are  remaining.  Some  of  the  iron  is  exceed 
ingly  bad  ;  this  I  hope  to  have  replaced  with  good  iron 
soon.  The  ckevaux-de-frise  wiU  be  completed  by  the  time 
the  river  will  admit  of  sinking  them.  The  batteries  near 
the  water,  and  the  fort  to  cover  them,  are  laid  out.  The 
latter  is  within  the  walls  six  hundred  yards  around,  twen- 


3 14  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

ty-one  feet  base,  fourteen  feet,  high,  the  talus  (or  slope) 
two  inches  to  the  foot.  This,  I  fear,  is  too  large  to  be 
completed  by  the  time  expected.  Governor  Clinton  and 
the  committee  have  agreed  to  this  plan,  and  nothing  on 
my  part  shall  be  wanting,  to  complete  it  in  the  best  and 
most  expeditious  manner.  Barracks  and  huts  for  about 
three  hundred  men  are  completed,  and  barracks  for  about 
the  same  number  are  nearly  covered.  A  road  to  the  river 
has  been  made  with  great  difficulty." 

He  then  proceeds  to  enumerate  some  of  the  difficulties 
with  which  he  had  to  contend,  in  the  prosecution  of  his 
work.  "Meigs's  regiment,  except  those  under  inoculation 
with  the  small-pox,  is  at  White  Plains  ;  and,  until  the 
barracks  can  be  fitted  for  their  reception,  I  have  thought 
best  to  continue  them  there,  to  cover  the  country  from  the 
incursions  of  the  enemy.  Dubois^s  regiment  is  unfit  to  be 
ordered  on  duty,  there  being  not  one  blanket  in  the  regiment. 
Very  few  have  either  a  shoe  or  a  shirt,  and  most  of  them  have 
neither  stockings,  breeches,  nor  overalls.  Several  companies 
of  enlisted  artificers  are  in  the  same  situation,  and  unable  to 
work  in  the  field.  Several  hundred  men  are  rendered  use 
less,  merely  for  want  of  necessary  apparel,  as  no  clothing 
is  permitted  to  be  stopped  at  this  post.  General  Parsons 
has  returned  to  camp  some  time  since,  and  takes  upon 
himself  the  command  to-morrow,  when  I  shall  set  out  for 
Connecticut." 

That  these  statements  are  in  no  way  exaggerated,  there 
is  evidence  enough  in  all  the  chronicles  of  the  day.  For 
the  painful  counterpart,  in  all  its  hideous  nakedness,  see 
Washington's  letters  to  Congress,  of  the  23d  of  Decem 
ber* — to  Governor  Livingston  of  the  31st  of  the  same 
month — to  Governor  Clinton  of  the  16th,  and  to  Congress 

*  Writings,  vol.  v.,  pages  197  and  206. 


COURT      OF      INQUIRY.  345 

of  the  27th  of  February.*  The  latter,  in  direct  allusion 
to  the  above,  says  :  "The  enclosed  extract  of  a  letter  from 
General  Putnam  will  show  how  great  the  distresses  are 
in  that  quarter  for  want  of  money.  He  has  described  their 
necessities  so  fully,  that  it  is  unnecessary  for  me  to  add 
upon  the  subject.  I  shall  only  observe,  that  his  account 
is  more  than  justified  by  many  other  letters,  and  that  I  am 
persuaded  the  earliest  possible  supply  will  be  forwarded, 
and  that  the  very  important  and  interesting  works  carrying 
on  there  may  not  be  the  least  retarded." 

As  soon  as  General  Putnam  could  conveniently  return 
from  Connecticut,  where  his  private  affairs  demanded 
attention  at  this  time,  the  Court  of  Inquiry,  which  had 
been  ordered  in  November,  was  organized.  It  consisted 
of  Major-General  McDougall,  Brigadier-General  Hunting- 
ton,  and  Colonel  Wigglesworth.f  The  following  is  an 
extract  from  Washington's  letter  to  General  McDougall, 
apprizing  him  of  this  appointment :  u  You  will  observe  by 
the  words  of  the  resolve  (of  Congress),  that  the  inquiry  is 
to  be  made  into  the  loss  of  Forts  Montgomery  and  Clinton, 
in  the  State  of  New  York,  and  into  the  conduct  of  the 
principal  officers  commanding  those  forts.  Hence  the 
officer  commanding-m-chief  in  that  department  will  be 
consequentially  involved  in  the  inquiry  ;  because,  if  he  has 
been  deficient  in  affording  the  proper  support  to  those 
posts,  when  called  upon  to  do  it,  the  commandant  and 

*  Writings,  vol.  v.,  pages  238  and  244. 

t  It  may  be  well  to  remark  that  such  inquiries  are  almost  invaria 
bly  instituted  in  relation  to  military  enterprises  which  are  attended 
with  disastrous  results.  They  do  not  by  any  means  necessarily 
imply  a  diminution  of  confidence  in  the  officers  whose  conduct  is 
implicated  in  the  inquiry.  They  are  part  of  a  great  system,  as 
necessary  to  the  reputation  of  the  officers,  as  to  the  due  adjustment 
of  discipline  anJ  reward  in  the  army. 
15* 


346  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

principal  officers  will   of  course   make  it  appear,  by  the 
evidence  produced  in  their  own  justification." 

General  McDougall  was  at  the  same  time  invested  with 
the  command  in  the  Highlands,  respecting  which  it  was 
remarked :  "  I  am  sensible  this  command  will  not  be  in 
itself  the  most  agreeable  piece  of  service,  and  that  you 
would  prefer  a  post  on  the  principal  theatre  of  action  ;  but 
the  vast  importance  of  it  has  determined  me  to  confide  it 
to  you,  and  I  am  persuaded  your  object  is  to  be  useful  to 
the  public."  General  Putnam  had  fully  realized  the 
truth  of  these  remarks,  respecting  the  character  of  the  post 
in  the  Highlands.  But  it  was  always  a  principle  with 
him,  never  to  shrink  from  any  service,  or  complain  of  any 
duty,  because  it  was  disagreeable. 

It  was  on  this  occasion,  when  it  became  necessary  to 
suspend  his  command  for  a  season,  in  order  to  subject  him 
to  this  trial,  that  Washington  explained  to  Putnam  the 
necessity  he  was  under,  growing  out  of  the  prejudices  of 
the  people  of  New  York,  of  recalling  him  altogether  from 
that  post. 

The  Court  of  Inquiry,  after  a  patient  and  careful  exami 
nation  of  all  the  facts  in  the  case,  were  unanimously  of 
opinion,  and  made  report  accordingly,  that  the  disaster 
of  the  fifth  of  October,  1777,  in  which  Forts  Montgomery 
and  Clinton  were  lost,  was  occasioned  only  by  the  want 
of  men  sufficient  for  their  proper  defence,  and  not  by  any 
fault  of  the  commanders. 

This  investigation  being  satisfactorily  terminated,  Gene 
ral  Putnam  was  requested — partly,  no  doubt,  with  refer 
ence  to  his  own  convenience — to  return  to  Connecticut, 
and  hasten  with  all  possible  expedition,  the  march  from 
that  quarter  of  the  new  levies  of  militia  for  the  coming 
campaign,  which  Washington  apprehended  would  open 
early,  and  prove  an  active  and  decisive  one.  This  seemed 


PUTNAM  RETURNS  TO   THE  CAMP.   347 

the  more  certain,  when,  about  the  1st  of  May,  intelligence 
was  received  of  the  conclusion  of  a  treaty  of  alliance  be 
tween  France  and  the  United  States.  It  was  the  first 
formal  recognition,  by  any  of  the  nations,  of  American 
Independence,  and  was  responded  to,  in  all  parts  of  the 
country,  by  universal  acclamations  of  joy.  It  inspired  all 
hearts  with  confidence.  Washington,  writing  to  Putnam 
on  the  occasion,  ever  as  watchful  and  prudent  as  he  was 
firm  and  hopeful  in  the  goodness  and  ultimate  success  of 
his  cause,  said  :  "  I  hope  that  the  fair,  and,  I  may  say, 
certain  prospect  of  success  will  not  induce  us  to  relax." 

Except  a  few  ordinary  skirmishes,  and  the  able  retreat 
of  Lafayette  from  Barren  Hill,  nothing  of  any  moment 
occurred  till  the  last  of  June,  when  the  successful  attack 
upon  the  retreating  foe  at  Monmouth,  gave  fresh  eclat  to 
the  American  cause.  Immediately  after  this  felicitous 
event,  General  Putnam  returned  to  the  camp,  and  took  the 
command  of  the  right  wing  of  the  army,  recently  com 
manded  by  General  Lee,  who  was  then  under  arrest  for 
his  conduct  in  the  battle  of  Monmouth.  Without  any 
action  of  importance,  the  army  was  concentrated  about 
the  North  River,  as  the  enemy  retired  to  New  York.  The 
season  passed  away  with  little  else  than  marches  and 
countermarches,  with  the  view  of  being  always  ready  for 
any  decided  movement  on  the  part  of  Sir  Henry  Clinto.n. 

About  the  first  of  September,  when  the  preparations 
known  to  be  making  in  New  York  indicated  a  combined 
attack,  by  sea  and  land,  on  the  French  fleet  at  Boston, 
dispositions  were  made  to  move  in  that  direction.  With 
this  view  General  Gates,  with  three  brigades,  was  ordered 
to  proceed  to  Danbury,  in  Connecticut.  Washington 
moved  as  far  as  Fredericksburg,  about  thirty  miles  from 
the  river,  on  the  way  to  Boston.  General  Putnam,  with 
two  brigades,  was  left  in  the  neighborhood  of  West  Point, 


348  LIFE     OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

for  the  defence  of  the  North  River,  which,  in  the  language 
of  Washington,  was  one  of  the  three  capital  objects  at 
which  the  enemy  would  necessarily  direct  his  force,  and 
which  it  was  his  first  duty  to  defend.  General  McDou- 
gall,  with  two  other  brigades,  was  ordered  to  join  General 
Gates  at  Danbury. 

As  no  serious  demonstrations  were  made  by  the  enemy 
in  either  of  these  directions,  the  whole  army,  after  remain 
ing  in  this  position  more  than  two  months,  retired  into 
winter  quarters.  General  McDougall  returned  to  his 
command  in  the  Highlands,  and  General  Putnam,  with 
three  brigades,  composed  of  the  New  Hampshire  and  Con 
necticut  troops,  together  with  Hazen's  corps  of  infantry 
and  Sheldon's  of  cavalry,  was  posted  in  the  vicinity  of 
Danbury,  for  the  threefold  purpose  of  protecting  the  coun 
try  lying  along  the  Sound — covering  the  magazines  on  the 
Connecticut  River — and  being  ready  to  reinforce  the 
Highlands,  on  any  serious  movement  of  the  enemy  in  that 
direction. 

In  the  course  of  the  winter,  a  spirit  of  insubordination, 
arising  from  the  many  hardships  they  had  suffered,  and 
the  long  arrearages  of  pay  now  due,  manifested  itself 
among  a  portion  of  the  troops  at  Danbury  ;  and,  but  for 
the  vigor,  promptness  and  address  of  their  veteran  com 
mander,  whom  they  loved  and  respected,  it  might  have 
been  attended  with  the  most  serious  results.  The  General 
Assembly  of  Connecticut  was  then  in  session  at  Hartford  ; 
and  a  plan  was  matured  by  the  two  brigades  belonging  to 
that  State,  of  marching  to  that  place  in  a  body,  and  de 
manding  redress,  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  for  the  griev 
ances  under  which  they  labored.  The  second  brigade 
was  already  under  arms  for  this  purpose,  when  intelligence 
of  their  proceedings  was  brought  to  General  Putnam.  He 
instantly  mounted  his  horse,  galloped  down  to  their  can- 


MUTINY      IN      CONNECTICUT.  349 

tonment,  and,  in  his  plain,  blunt  manner,  thus  addressed 
them  :  "  My  brave  lads,  whither  are  you  going  ?  Do  you 
intend  to  desert  your  officers,  and  to  invite  the  enemy  to 
follow  you  into  the  country  ?  In  whose  cause  have  you 
been  fighting  and  suffering  so  long  ?  Is  it  not  your  own  ? 
Have  you  no  property  ?  no  parents  ?  no  wives  ?  no  chil 
dren  ?  You  have  thus  far  behaved  like  men — the  world 
is  full  of  your  praises — and  posterity  will  stand  astonished 
at  your  deeds  ;  but  not  if  you  spoil  it  all  at  last.  Don't 
you  consider  how  much  the  country  is  distressed  by  the 
war  ;  and  that  your  officers  have  not  been  any  better  paid 
than  yourselves  ?  But  we  all  expect  better  times,  and 
then  the  country  will  do  us  ample  justice.  Let  us  all 
stand  by  one  another,  then,  and  fight  it  out  like  brave  sol 
diers.  Think  what  a  shame  it  would  be  for  Connecticut 
men  to  run  away  from  their  officers  !" 

The  General  then  rode  along  the  line,  and  was  received 
by  the  several  regiments  in  the  usual  manner,  with  pre 
sented  arms  and  beat  of  drum.  The  acting  Major  of  Bri 
gade  was  then  ordered  to  give  the  word  for  them  to  shoul 
der  arms,  march  to  their  regimental  parades,  and  there 
lodge  arms  ;  all  of  which  was  done  promptly  and  with 
apparent  good  humor.  One  soldier  only,  who  had  been  a 
ringleader  in  the  mutiny,  was  confined  in  the  quarter- 
guard.  He  attempted  to  make  his  escape  in  the  night ; 
but  the  sentinel,  though  he  had  himself  taken  part  in  the 
mutiny,  was  .so  entirely  convinced  of  his  error,  and  won 
back  to  his  duty,  that  he  shot  him  dead  upon  the  spot. 

During  this  season,  the  British,  as  usual,  sent  out  an 
occasional  foraging  party,  to  sweep  away  from  the  unpro 
tected  portion  of  the  country  whatever  they  could  find  of 
stock  or  provisions.  Unfortunately  for  their  reputation 
for  humanity,  these  parties  did  not  confine  themselves  to 
this  species  of  justifiable  plunder,  but  burned  and  laid 


350  'LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

waste  the  property  of  the  defenceless.  A  corps  of  fifteen 
hundred  men,  under  command  of  Governor  Tryon,  was, 
on  one  of  these  occasions,  approaching  the  town  of  West 
Greenwich,  more  familiarly  known  as  Horseneck^  from  a 
peninsula  on  the  Sound,  anciently  used  as  a  pasture  for 
horses,  but  now  the  richest  and  most  populous  part  of  the 
township. 

This  was  one  of  Putnam's  outposts,  and  he  chanced  to 
be  there,  in  person,  when  Try  on  advanced.  He  had  no 
force  to  oppose  him  but  a  picket  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
men,  with  two  pieces  of  artillery.  With  these,  he  took 
his  station  on  the  brow  of  a  steep  declivity,  near  the  Pres 
byterian  church,  resolved  to  do  the  enemy  what  mischief 
he  could  and  then  retire.  As  they  advanced,  they  receiv 
ed  several  well-directed  volleys,  that  told  with  good  effect 
on  their  line  ;  upon  which  the  dragoons,  supported  by  a 
corps  of  infantry,  prepared  to  charge.  Putnam  immedi 
ately  ordered  his  men  to  provide  for  their  own  safety,  by 
retiring  to  a  swamp  inaccessible  to  cavalry,  while  he  secur 
ed  his,  by  forcing  his  well-trained  horse,  at  full  speed, 
down  the  declivity.  The  road  at  that  time  turned  to  the 
north,  a  little  before  it  came  to  the  brow  of  the  hill,  and, 
after  proceeding  a  considerable  distance,  bent  again  with  a 
sharp  angle  towards  the  south — having  been  dug  along  the 
steep  in  such  a  manner,  as  to  make  the  passage  practica 
ble  and  tolerably  safe.  General  Putnam,  under  the  influ 
ence  of  the  same  spirit  with  which  he  entered  the  wolf's 
den,  being  hard  pressed  by  his  pursuers,  forced  his  horse 
directly  down  the  precipice, — winding  his  course,  how 
ever,  in  such  a  zig-zag  direction,  as  enabled  him  to  keep 
his  feet.  His  pursuers,  when  they  came  to  the  top  of  the 
precipice,  struck  with  astonishment  at  his  daring  attempt, 
stopped  short,  and  fired  upon  him  as  he  effected  the  peril 
ous  descent ;  when,  despairing  of  overtaking  him  by  the 


Perilous  Descent  at  Horjenssk.  —  p^go  350. 


PERILOUS     LEAP      AT     HORSENECK.        351 

circuitous  course  of  the  road,  they  gave  over  the  chase- 
He  escaped  the  sharp  firing  of  his  pursuers,  only  one  ball 
taking  effect ;  and  that,  fortunately,  passed  through  his 
beaver,  without  hurting  a  hair  of  his  head.  The  road  is 
so  much  altered  at  the  present  time  as  to  prevent  the  eye 
from  fully  realizing  the  extent  of  the  hazard.  It  is  now 
blown  through  the  rocks  above  at  a  great  expense  ;  and 
continued  by  a  causeway  from  the  foot  of  the  chasm  to  the 
valley  below,  in  the  very  direction  where  the  General 
descended. 

The  story  of  the  seventy  stone  steps,  by  which  this 
hill  is  ascended,  and  of  the  magnificent  church  on  the  top, 
to  which  that  wonderful  stairway  was  designed  to  lead,  is 
a  sheer  fabrication,  originating  in  what  Dr.  Dwight  calls, 
li  that  mass  of  folly  and  falsehood,  Peters^s  History  of  Con 
necticut.^  The.  truth  is,  there  is  a  small  Episcopal  church 
on  the  brow  of  the  hill,  and  the  members  of  the  congrega 
tion,  who  lived  below  the  hill,  being  unwilling  to  take  the 
tedious  circuit  of  the  road,  when  walking  to  the  church, 
and  being  unable  to  ascend  the  hill  in  its  original  state, 
gathered  a  collection  of  stones  from  the  road,  and  the 
neighboring  enclosures,  and  placed  them  at  convenient 
distances,  to  aid  them  in  climbing  this  steep.  The  num 
ber  is  commonly  reported  to  be  seventy,  though  sometimes 
magnified  to  a  hundred  ;  but,  instead  of  being  a  magnifi 
cent  flight  of  steps,  the  regularity  of  their  arrangement 
would  not  distinguish  them  from  the  common  stones  of  the 
street. 

Putnam  continued  his  route,  unmolested,  to  Stamford — 
about  ten  miles.  Calling  out  a  party  of  militia  at  this 
place,  he  returned  with  all  despatch,  formed  a  junction  with 
the  little  band  he  had  left  behind,  and  hung  upon  the  rear 
of  Tryon,  in  his  retreat,  with  such  effect,  as  to  take  about 
fifty  of  his  party  prisoners.  Some  of  these  being  wounded, 


352  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

were  treated  with  such  special  humanity  and  kindness, 
that  Governor  Tryon  addressed  a  handsome  note  to  Put 
nam  in  acknowledgment,  accompanied  with  a  present  of  a 
complete  suit  of  clothes.* 

*  There  is  an  apparent  anachronism  in  the  common  narratives  of 
this  adventure.  Colonel  Humphreys  places  it  in  the  winter  of 
1778-9.  A  note  attached  to  the  Boston  edition  of  his  memoirs,  print 
ed  in  1818,  says,  that  the  whole  party  of  prisoners,  taken  from  Tryon, 
on  this  occasion,  was  sent,  the  next  day,  to  the  British  lines  for 
exchange.  This  could  hardly  have  happened  at  the  time  named  by 
Humphreys;  for  Putnam  had,  a  year  before,  received  specific  in 
structions  from  Washington  on  this  very  point.  In  a  letter  of  the 
25th  of  January,  1778,  after  congratulating  Putnam  on  the  success  of 
his  two  little  parties  against  the  enemy,  which  he  hoped  would  have 
the  effect  to  prevent  their  making  so  extensive  excursions  in  future, 
he  remarks :  "  One  circumstance  I  cannot  avoid  taking  notice  of, 
that  our  officers  who  have  been  but  a  very  short  time  in  the  enemy's 
hands,  reap  the  advantages  of  any  captures  which  happen  to  be 
made  by  us.  This  must  not  be  practised  in  future,  as  It  is  the  height 
of  injustice,  and  will,  if  continued,  draw  upon  us  the  censures  of  the 
officers  who  have  been  for  a  long  time  suffering  all  the  rigors  of  a 
severe  captivity.  The  proper  mode  of  procedure  is,  to  deliver  them 
into  the  hands  of  the  commissary  of  prisoners,  who  must  be  best 
acquainted  with  the  propriety  of  complying  with  the  claims  of  our 
officers  in  their  hands."  It  is  manifest,  therefore,  either  that  the 
whole  enterprise  is  post-dated  a  whole  year  by  Humphreys,  or  that 
the  Boston  editor  is  in  error,  in  connecting  the  summary  exchange 
of  prisoners  with  this  occasion.  The  former  is  most  probable;  since 
the  incident  of  the  suit  of  clothes  received  from  Governor  Tryon, 
which  is  also  mentioned  by  Humphreys,  connects  the  two  events 
together,  while  Washington's  letter,  alluding  both  to  the  success  of  Put 
nam's  two  parties,  and  to  the  premature  exchange  of  prisoners,  estab 
lishing  the  date  of  the  one,  necessarily  decides  that  of  the  other.  It 
will  be  remembered  that,  at  that  period,  Putnam  sent  out  three  par 
ties  from  New  Rochelle,  against  the  parties  of  Tryon,  and  that  two 
of  them  were  successful.  The  number  of  prisoners  taken  by  both,  as 
represented  by  Humphreys,  was  seventy-five.  One  of  those  parties 
might  have  been  the  party  at  Horseneck,  increased  by  the  picket  to 
one  hundred  and  fifty  men.  And,  as  that  party  took  forty  prisoners, 


STONY     POINT     LOST     A  :•?  D     RECOVERED.    353 

In  the  latter  part  of  March,  1779,  before  General  Put 
nam  received  orders  to  move  from  his  winter  quarters  at 
Danbury,  he  was  apprized  by  the  Commander-in-chief  of 
the  probable  designs  of  the  enemy  to  commit  extensive 
depredations  on  the  towns  along  the  coast,  and  warned  to 
be  on  his  guard,  to  prevent  their  ravages  as  far  as  possible. 
But,  having  the  advantage  of  vastly  superior  numbers,  and 
armed  ships,  by  which  they  were  easily  and  safely  trans 
ported  from  place  to  place,  it  was  not  easy  to  follow  or 
check  them  in  their  cruel  designs.  It  was  expected,  by 
the  short-sighted  administration  of  that  day,  that  this  spe 
cies  of  predatory  warfare — keeping  the  country  in  a  state 
of  constant  alarm  and  suffering  —  would  wear  out  the 
rebellious  provinces,  and  induce  them  to  return  to  their 
allegiance.  The  effect  was  just  the  reverse,  exasperating- 
even  the  timid,  and  rousing  the  whole  community  to  an 
indignant  and  hearty  co-operation  in  sustaining  the  war. 

As  the  season  for  active  operations  approached,  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  formed  a  plan  for  opening  the  campaign 
with  a  brilliant  coup  de  main  up  the  North  River.  Wash 
ington  was  immediately  informed  of  the  preparations  mak 
ing  for  this  object,  and  penetrating,  at  once,  their  design, 
took  measures  to  counteract  them.  Generals  Putnam  and 
McDougall  were  ordered  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness 
to  march  ;  and,  on  the  26th  of  May,  the  army  under 
Washington  moved  by  divisions  from  Middlebrook  towards 
the  Highlands.  On  the  30th,  the  British  army,  command 
ed  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton  in  person,  proceeded  up  the 
river  ;  and  General  Vaughan,  at  the  head  of  the  largest 

it  would  leave  but  a  slight  difference  to  be  adjusted  in  the  two  state 
ments.  This  is  rendered  more  probable  from  the  circumstance,  that, 
in  describing  the  Horseneck  expedition,  Colonel  Humphreys  makes 
no  mention  of  prisoners,  which,  as  an  honest  man,  he  would  not  do, 
if  he  had  previously  accounted  for  all  the  prisoners  taken. 


354  LIFE     OF     GENERAL     PUTNAM. 

division,  landed,  the  next  morning,  near  Verplanck's 
Point.  The  other  division,  under  General  Patterson, 
accompanied  by  Sir  Henry,  landed  on  the  west  side,  near 
Stony  Point.  The  works  at  this  place,  which  were  in  an 
unfinished  state,  were  abandoned  at  once  to  the  enemy. 
The  garrison  at  Fort  Lafayette,  on  the  opposite  side,  con 
sisting  of  seventy  men,  being  invested  by  General  Vaughan 
on  the  land  side,  and  by  the  galleys  on  the  water  side, 
was  compelled  to  surrender  as  prisoners  of  war. 

The  design  of  this  expedition  was  evidently  to  get  pos 
session  of  West  Point,  and  the  river.  But,  while  these 
movements  were  in  progress,  that  post  was  so  strongly 
reinforced,  that  it  was  deemed  too  hazardous  to  prosecute 
the  design  any  farther.  The  whole  army,  under  the  im 
mediate  command  of  Washington,  was  now  concentrated 
in  the  Highlands.  General  Putnam,  with  his  division, 
had  crossed  the  river,  and  joined  the  main  body  in  the 
Clove.  On  the  23d  of  June,  General  Washington  remov 
ed  his  head-quarters  to  New  Windsor,  leaving  the  main 
body  at  the  former  place,  under  the  immediate  command 
of  Putnam. 

The  two  posts  on  the  river,  recently  taken  by  the  ene 
my,  were  important  to  both  parties.  The  possession  of 
them  by  the  British  was  a  great  inconvenience  to  the 
American  army,  as  it  cut  off  one  of  their  best  communica 
tions,  by  King's  Ferry,  between  their  principal  posts  on 
the  two  sides  of  the  river,  besides  affording  to  the  enemy 
convenient  vantage  ground,  from  which  to  advance  higher 
up.  They  were  immediately  put  into  a  condition  of 
defence,  and  ably  garrisoned  ;  while,  at  the  same  time, 
measures  were  adopted  by  Washington  to  recover  them. 

On  the  15th  of  July,  Stony  Point  was  gallantly  stormed 
and  recovered  by  General  Wayne,  and  the  whole  garrison 
made  prisoners — consisting  of  nearly  six  hundred  men. 


WORKS      AT      WEST     POINT.  355 

The  attempt  upon  Verplanck's  Point  was  to  have  been 
made  at  the  same  time.  But  it  failed  ;  and  in  consequence 
of  this  failure,  it  became  necessary  to  abandon  Stony  Point 
again  to  the  enemy.  It  was  then  more  strongly  fortified 
and  garrisoned  than  before  ;  but  was  again,  in  a  short  time, 
with  the  opposite  post  at  Verplanck's,  finally  evacuated, 
and  left  to  the  quiet  possession  of  the  Americans. 

On  the  21st  of  July,  Washington  established  his  head 
quarters  at  West  Point,  and  remained  there  until  Decem 
ber,  when  the  army  went  into  winter  quarters.  It  was 
during  this  period  that  the  strong  works  at  West  Point 
and  its  vicinity  were  chiefly  constructed.  During  a  con 
siderable  part  of  the  time,  twenty-five  hundred  men  were 
daily  on  fatigue  duty.  The  right  wing  of  the  army,  con 
sisting  of  the  Pennsylvania,  Maryland  and  Virginia  troops, 
was  commanded  by  General  Putnam.  His  post  was  at 
Buttermilk  Falls,  about  two  miles  below  West  Point.  As 
the  fatigue  parties  were  furnished  alternately  by  each 
division  of  the  army,  and  as  General  Putnam  was  expe 
rienced  in  this  department,  he  took  an  active  and  efficient 
part  in  completing  the  fortifications  which  had  been  laid 
out  under  his  own  eye,  and  the  site  for  which  had  been 
selected  chiefly  through  his  agency.  He  had  the  honor  of 
giving  his  own  name  to  the  principal  fort.  It  is  still  to  be 
seen,  though  in  ruins,  reminding  the  multitudes  who  annu 
ally  visit  the  spot,  of  the  labors,  sufferings  and  sacrifices, 
as  well  as  of  the  virtues  and  honors  of  that  noble  band  of 
heroes,  who  achieved  our  Independence. 

With  the  exception  of  Wayne's  enterprise  at  Stony 
Point,  and  another  of  equal  merit,  under  the  gallant  Major 
Henry  Lee,  at  Paulus  Hook  (Jersey  City),  the  campaign 
of  1779  was  productive  of  no  important  events,  so  far  as 
the  main  body  of  the  army  under  Washington  was  con 
cerned.  That  commander,  under  date  of  the  30th  of  Sep- 


356  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

ternber,  thus  characterizes  the  campaign  in  a  letter  to 
Lafayette  :  "  The  operations  of  the  enemy  have  been  con 
fined  to  the  establishment  of  works  of  defence,  taking  a 
post  at  King's  Ferry,  and  burning  the  defenceless  towns 
of  New  Haven,  Fairfield  and  Norwalk,  on  the  Sound, 
within  reach  of  their  shipping,  where  little  else  was,  or 
could  be  opposed  to  them,  than  the  cries  of  distressed 
women  and  helpless  children  ;  but  these  were  offered  in 
vain.  Since  these  notable  exploits,  they  have  never  step 
ped  out  of  their  works,  or  beyond  their  lines.  How  a  con 
duct  of  this  kind  is  to  effect  the  conquest  of  America,  the 
\visdom  of  a  North,  a  Germain,  or  a  Sandwich,  can  best 
decide.  It  is  too  deep  and  refined  for  the  comprehension 
of  common  understandings,  and  the  general  run  of  poli 
ticians." 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 

RETIREMENT    AND    LAST    DAYS    OF    THE    HERO. 

Putnam  visits  his  family  in  Connecticut — Sets  out  on  his  return  to 
the  army — Is  struck  with  paralysis,  and  retires — His  interest  in 
public  affairs— Correspondence  with  Washington — His  efforts  to 
promote  temperance — His  abhorrence  of  duelling — His  mode  of 
accepting  challenges — His  peaceful  enjoyment  of  the  evening  of 
life — Public  and  private  estimation  of  his  character — Testimony 
of  Drs.  D wight  and  Whitney — A  Christian's  death — Funeral 
honors — Epitaph. 

WHEN  the  army  went  into  winter  quarters  at  Morristown, 
early  in  December,  General  Putnam  took  leave  of  absence, 
for  a  few  weeks,  and  went,  with  his  Aids,  to  visit  his 
family  in  Connecticut.  Before  the  end  of  that  month,  he 
set  out  on  his  return  to  the  camp.  He  had  proceeded  but 
a  few  miles,  on  the  way  to  Hartford,  when  his  progress 
was  arrested  by  an  attack  of  paralysis,  by  which  the  use 
of  his  limbs  on  one  side  was  temporarily  lost.  He  was 
enabled  to  reach  the  house  of  his  friend  Colonel  Wads- 
worth  ;  where,  unwilling  to  admit  the  real  character  of 
his  disease,  he  endeavored,  by  active  exertion,  to  shake 
it  off.  It  refused  to  yield  to  so  simple  a  remedy,  and  the 
old  soldier,  with  a  mind  wholly  unimpaired  by  his  years 
and  labors,  and  a  heart  warmly  devoted  to  the  cause  of  his 
country,  was  compelled  to  submit,  for  the  remainder  of  his 
days,  to  a  life  of  comparative  inaction. 

General  Putnam   survived  this   attack  somewhat  more 


358  LIFE     OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

than  eleven  years.  He  was  never  so  disabled,  as  to  be 
deprived  of  the  power  of  enjoying  moderate  exercise  in 
walking  and  riding  ;  and  even  in  the  last  year  of  his  life, 
and  but  a  few  weeks  before  he  was  called  away,  he  tra 
velled,  by  slow  stages,  on  horseback,  to  Danvers,  the 
place  of  his  birth,  a  distance  of  one  hundred  miles.  With 
his  accustomed  independence,  on  arriving  at  the  house 
of  his  relative,  he  refused  assistance  in  dismounting,  and 
jumped  to  the  ground  with  something  of  the  agility  of 
youth.  His  mental  faculties,  his  relish  for  social  enjoy 
ment,  his  love  of  pleasantry,  and,  more  than  all,  his  love 
of  country,  he  retained,  undiminished,  to  the  last.  Few 
men  had  more  or  firmer  friends,  or  shared  more  largely  in 
the  confidence  and  respect  of  those  who  knew  him. 

With  the  liveliest  interest  he  watched  the  motions  of 
the  army,  and  the  progress  of  public  affairs,  and  maintain 
ed  a  free  correspondence  with  the  Commander-in-chief, 
and  his  old  comrades  in  the  camp.  It  would  appear  that, 
at  one  time,  about  six  months  after  his  first  attack,  he 
entertained  strong  hopes  of  being  able  to  rejoin  the  army. 
In  reply  to  a  letter,  expressing  such  a  hope  as  this,  Gene 
ral  Washington  wrote,  on  the  5th  of  July,  1780,  as  fol 
lows  : 

"  DEAR  SIR  : 

u  I  am  very  happy  to  learn  from  your  letter  of  the 
29th,  that  the  present  state  of  your  health  is  so  flattering, 
and  that  it  promises  you  the  prospect  of  being  in  a  condi 
tion  to  make  a  visit  to  your  old  associates  some  time  this 
campaign.  I  wish  it  were  in  my  power  to  congratulate 
you  upon  a  complete  recovery.  I  should  feel  a  sincere 
satisfaction  in  such  an  event,  and  I  hope  for  it  heartily, 
with  the  rest  of  your  friends  in  this  quarter. 
"  I  am,  dear  Sir,  &c. 

"GEQ.  WASHINGTON," 


WASHINGTON'S    LETTER.  259 

Three  years  after,  on  the  conclusion  of  the  treaty  of 
peace,  and  the  final  establishment  of  American  Independ 
ence,  and  in  response  to  the  hearty  congratulations  of 
Putnam  on  that  interesting  occasion,  the  Father  of  his 
country  addressed  him  in  the  following  affectionate  and 
respectful  terms  The  whole  letter  is  in  the  highest  de 
gree  complimentary  to  his  military  standing  and  services, 
and  indicates,  in  terms  which  cannot  be  mistaken,  the  esti 
mation  in^which  he  was  held  by  the  writer  and  his  asso 
ciates. 

"  Head  Quarters,  2d  June,  1783. 
"DEAR  SIR: 

"  Your  favor  of  the  20th  of  May  I  received  with 
much  pleasure.  For  I  can  assure  you,  that,  among  the 
many  worthy  and  meritorious  officers  with  whom  I  have 
had  the  happiness  to  be  connected  in  service  through  the 
course  of  this  war,  and  from  whose  cheerful  assistance  and 
advice  I  have  received  much  support  and  confidence,  in 
the  various  and  trying  vicissitudes  of  a  complicated  con 
test,  the  name  of  Putnam  is  not  forgotten  ;  nor  Avill  be 
but  with  that  stroke  of  time,  which  shall  obliterate  from 
my  mind  the  remembrance  of  all  those  toils  and  fatigues, 
through  which  we  have  struggled,  for  the  preservation  and 
establishment  of  the  Rights,  Liberties,  and  Independence 
of  our  Country. 

"  Your  congratulations  on  the  happy  prospects  of  our 
peace  and  independent  security,  with  their  attendant  bless 
ings  to  the  UNITED  STATES,  T  receive  with  great  satisfac 
tion  ;  and  beg  that  you  will  accept  a  return  of  my  gratula- 
tions  to  you  on  this  auspicious  event — -an  event,  in  which, 
great  as  it  is  in  itself,  and  glorious  as  it  will  probably  be 
in  its  consequences,  you  have  a  right  to  participate  largely, 
from  the  distinguished  part  you  have  contributed  towards 
its  attainment 


360  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM, 

"  But  while  I  contemplate  the  greatness  of  the  object 
for  which  we  have  contended,  and  felicitate  you  on  the 
happy  issue  of  our  toils  and  labors,  which  have  terminated 
with  such  general  satisfaction,  I  lament  that  you  should 
feel  the  ungrateful  returns  of  a  country  in  whose  service 
you  have  exhausted  your  bodily  health,  and  expended  the 
vigor  of  a  youthful  constitution.  I  wish,  however,  that 
your  expectations  of  returning  sentiments  of  liberality  may 
be  verified.  I  have  a  hope  that  they  may — but  should 
they  not,  your  career  will  not  be  a  singular  one.  Ingrati 
tude  has  been  experienced  in  all  ages  ;  and  Republics,  in 
particular,  have  ever  been  famed  for  the  exercise  of  that 
unnatural  and  sordid  vice*. 

"  The  SECRETARY  AT  WAR,  who  is  -now  here,  informs 
me  that  you  have  been  considered  as  enthled  to  full  pay 
since  your  absence  from  the  field,  and  that  you  will  still 
be  considered  in  that  li^ht  till  the  close  of  the  war  ;  at 

O  ' 

which  period  you  will  be  equally  entitled  to  the  same 
emoluments  of  half-pay,  or  commutation,  as  other  officers 
of  your  rank.  Tne'same  opinion  is  also  given  by  the 
Paymaster-General,  who  is  now  with  the  army,  empow 
ered  by  Mr.  Morris  for  the  settlement  of  alf'their  accounts, 
and  who  will  attend  to  yours,  whenever  you  shall  think 
proper  to  send  on  for  that  purpose,  which  it  will  probably 
be  best  for  yqu  to  do  in  a  short  time. 

"  I  anticipate,  with  pleasure,  the  day— and  that  I  trust 
not  far  off— when  I  shall  quit  the  busy  scenes  of  a  military 
employment,  and  retire  to  the  more  tranquil  walks  of 
*  domestic  life.  In  that,  or  whatever  other  situation  Provi 
dence  may  dispose  of  my  future  days,  the  re?nJmh"ance  of 
the  many  friendships  and  connections  I  have  had  the  hap 
piness  to  contract  with  the  gentlemen  of  the  Army,  will  be 
one  of  my  most  grateful  reflections.  Under  this  contem 
plation,  and  impressed  with  the  sentiments  of  benevolence 


A      FRIEND      OF      TEMPERANCE.  36 

and  regard,  I  commend  you,  my  dear  Sir,  my  other  friends, 
and  with  them  the  interest  and  happiness  of  our  dear  coun 
try,  to  the  KEEPING  AND  PROTECTION  OF  ALMIGHTY  GOD 
"  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c., 

«  GEORGE  WASHINGTON 
u  To  the  Honorable  Major-General  PUTNAM." 

That  the  old  veteran  was  a  good  citizen,  as  well  as  a 
brave  soldier  and  an  able  officer,  and,  in  retiring  from  the 
army,  did  not  lose  sight  of  the  interests  of  society  around 
him,  will  appear  from  the  following  letter  ;  which  will 
commend  itself  especially  to  the  Washingtonians,  Recha- 
bites,  and  other  temperance  reformers  ef  the  day.  Though 
it  does  not  come  up  to  the  standard  of  this  te total  age,  it 
was  certainly  in  advance  of  the  age  in  which  he  lived 
The  original  letter  is  among  the  papers  of  the  Connecticut 
Historical  Society,  at  Hartford, 

"  Brooklyn*  Feb.  18,  1782, 
"  GENTLEMEN  : 

"  Being  an  enemy  to  Idleness,  Dissipation  and  Intem 
perance,  I  would  •  object  against  any  measures  which  may 
be  conducive  thereto;  and,  the  multiplying  of  public 
houses,"  where  the  public  good  does  not  require  it,  has  a 
direct  tendency  to  ruin  the  morals  of  youth,  and  promote 
idleness  and  intemperance  among  all  ranks  of  people,  espe 
cially  as  the  "grand  object  of  the  candidates  for  licenses  is 
money  ;  and,  when  that  is  not  the  case,  men  are  not  over 
apt  to  be  tender  of  people's  morals  or  purses.  The  au 
thorities  oJkjLhis  town,  I  think,  have  run  into  a  great  error 
in  approbating  an  additional  number  of  public  houses, 
especially  in  this  parish.  They  have  approbated  two 
houses  in  the  centre,  where  there  never  was  custom  ( 
mean  travelling  custom)  enough  for  one.  The  other  cus 

*  Brooklyn  was  set  off  from  Pom  fret, 
16 


362  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM 

torn  (the  domestic)  I  have  been  informed,  has,  of  late 
years,  increased  ;  and  the  licensing  another  house,  I  fear, 
would  increase  it  more.  As  I  kept  a  public  house  here 
myself,  a  number  of  years  before  the  war,  I  had  an  oppor 
tunity  of  knowing,  and  certainly  do  know,  that  the  travel 
ling  custom  is  too  trifling  for  a  man  to  lay  himself  out  so 
as  to  keep  such  a  house  as  travellers  have  a  right  to  ex 
pect.  Therefore,  I  hope  your  Honors  will  consult  the 
good  of  this  parish,  so  as  to  license  only  one  of  the  two 
houses.  I  shall  not  undertake  to  say  which  ought  to  be 
licensed.  Your  Honors  will  act  according  to  your  best 
information. 

"  I  am,  with  esteem, 

"  Your  Honor's  humble  servant, 

«  ISRAEL  PUTNAM. 

"  To  the  Honorable  County  Court,  to  be  holden  at 
Windham,  on  the  19th  instant." 

Though  he  had  passed  so  great  a  portion  of  his  life  in 
the  camp,  amidst  the  demoralizing  influences  and  false 
maxims  which  prevail  in  that  arbitrary  and  unnatural 
state  of  society,  General  Putnam,  with  one  exception  only, 
maintained  a  high  standard  of  moral  virtue.  During  most 
of  his  military  life,  he  was  addicted  to  the  soldier's  habit 
of  profaneness  ;  and  most  of  the  anecdotes  related  of  him, 
are  freely  interlarded  with  oaths.  This  sin  he  acknow 
ledged,  lamented,  and  wholly  abjured  in  his  later  years. 
To  duelling,  that  worst  and  most  heartless  species  of  legal 
ized  murder,  he  was  always  and  utterly  opposed — holding 
in  hearty  abhorrence  every  principle  of  the  so-called  code 
of  honor.  It  was  a  practice  which  few  men  could  better 
afford  to  hold  in  supreme  contempt ;  'for  his  courage  was 
above  suspicion. 

It  once  happened  that,  without  intending  an  insult,  he 


HIS     VIEWS     OF     DUELLING.  363 

grossly  offended  a  brother  officer.  The  dispute  arose  at  a 
wine  table,  and  the  officer  demanded  instant  reparation. 
Putnam,  being  a  little  excited,  expressed  his  willingness 
to  accommodate  the  gentleman  with  a  fight ;  and  it  was 
stipulated  that  the  duel  should  take  place  on  the  following 
morning,  and  that  they  should  fight  without  seconds.  At 
the  appointed  time,  the  officer  went  to  the  ground, 
armed  with  sword  and  pistols.  On  entering  the  field, 
Putnam,  who  had  taken  a  stand  at  the  opposite  extremity, 
and  at  a  distance  of  thirty  rods,  levelled  his  musket,  and 
fired  at  him.  The  gentleman  now  ran  toward  his  antago 
nist,  who  deliberately  proceeded  to  reload  his  gun. 

"  What  are  you  about  to  do  ?"  exclaimed  he.  u  Is  this 
the  conduct  of  an  American  officer,  and  a  man  of  honor  ?" 

"  What  am  I  about  to  do  ?"  exclaimed  the  General, 
attending  only  to  the  first  question.  "  A  pretty  question 
to  put  to  a  man  whom  you  intended  to  murder  !  I'm 
about  to  kill  you  ;  and  if  you  don't  beat  a  retreat  in  less 
time  than  'twould  take  old  Heath  to  hang  a  tory,  you  are 
a  gone  dog  ;"  at  the  same  time  returning  his  ramrod  to  its 
place,  and  throwing  the  breach  of  his  gun  into  the  hollow 
of  his  shoulder. 

This  intimation  was  too  unequivocal  to  be  misunder 
stood  ;  and  the  valorous  duellist  turned  and  iled  for  dear 
life. 

An  English  officer,  who  was  a  prisoner  on  his  parole, 
being  offended  at  some  remarks  of  General  Putnam,  in 
which  he  had  reflected  with  some  severity  upon  the  cha 
racter  of  the  British,  demanded  satisfaction,  as  for  a  per 
sonal  insult.  Putnam  accepted  the  challenge,  and  having 
his  choice  of  the  weapons,  agreed  to  meet  his  antagonist 
the  next  morning,  at  a  certain  place  which  he  named,  pre 
pared  with  arms  for  both  parties.  On  the  arrival  of  the 
Englishman  at  the  appointed  place,  he  found  Putnam  seat- 


364  LIFE      OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

ed  by  the  side  of  what  appeared  to  be  a  barrel  of  powder, 
smoking  his  pipe — a  common  match  being  inserted  into  a 
small  opening  in  the  top  of  the  barrel.  Requesting  the 
Englishman  to  sit  down  on  the  other  side  of  the  cask,  he 
set  fire  to  the  match  with  his  pipe,  and  coolly  remarking 
that  there  was  an  equal  chance  for  both  of  them,  went  on 
with  his  smoking.  The  Englishman  watched  the  match, 
for  a  moment,  as  the  fire  crept  slowly  down  towards  the 
powder,  and  then  starting  hastily  up,  made  a  precipitate 
retreat. 

"  You  are  just  as  brave  a  man  as  I  took  you  to  be," 
said  Putnam.  "  This  is  nothing  but  a  barrel  of  onions, 
with  a  few  grains  of  powder  on  the  head,  to  try  you  by. 
But  you  don't  like  the  smell." 

In  following  out  the  tableaux  vivanls  of  history,  we  are 
so  often  compelled  to  leave  our  chosen  hero  weltering  in 
his  blood  on  an  untimely  field,  or  wearing  away  the  prime 
of  his  days  in  captivity,  that  we  take  unusual  satisfaction 
in  contemplating  the  long  evening  of  calm  and  dignified 
repose,  that  closed  the  active  and  adventurous  career  of 
Putnam.  Though  incapacitated  for  further  service  in  the 
stirring  scenes  of  the  camp  and  the  field,  he  retained,  in 
full  vigor,  his  power  to  enjoy  and  promote  the  tranquil 
pleasures  of  social  life.  Fortunately,  the  thrift  and  indus 
try  of  his  early  years,  and  the  prudent  management  of  his 
temporal  affairs,  had  secured  an  ample  competency  for  his 
declining  years,  and  placed  him  above  that  painful  and 
humiliating  embarrassment,  which  embittered  the  last  days 
of  so  many  of  his  worthy  compeers  in  that  glorious  strug 
gle.  In  a  pleasant  home,  which  his  own  industry  had 
procured  and  adorned  ;  in  the  midst  of  a  kind  and  affec 
tionate  family,  happy  in  themselves  and  in  him  ;  and  of  a 
free  and  prosperous  people,  who  looked  up  to  and  ven-e- 

.    - 


HIS      CHARACTER.  365 

rated  Lim,  as  one  of  the  authors  of  their  freedom  and 
prosperity  ;  with  a  wide  circle  of  admiring  and  confiding 
friends  among  the  best  and  worthiest  in  the  land  ;  and  in 
the  cheerful,  conscientious  performance  of  all  the  duties 
of  a  kind  father,  a  faithful  friend,  a  good  neighbor,  a  wor 
thy  citizen,  a  high-minded  patriot,  and  a  devout  Christian, 
he  diligently  improved  his  long  furlough  from  the  scenes 
of  earthly  strife  and  toil,  in  maintaining  a  spiritual  warfare 
against  inward  foes,  and  preparing  for  a  spiritual  rest. 

The  narrative  of  his  adventurous  life  sufficiently  illus 
trates  his  martial  virtues,  his  intrepid  bravery,  and  con 
summate  skill,  and  his  humane  and  generous  regard  for 
the  unfortunate  victims  of  war.  "  But,"  as  Mr.  Peabody 
beautifully  and  justly  remarks,  "  his  military  reputation, 
high  as  it  was,  concealed  no  dark  traits  of  personal  cha 
racter  beneath  its  shadow.  In  all  the  domestic  relations, 
the  surest  test  of  habitual  virtue,  he  was  most  exemplary  ; 
and  his  excellence  in  this  respect  deserves  the  more  notice, 
as  the  stern  discipline  and  wild  adventure,  in  which  so 
much  of  his  life  was  spent,  were  more  favorable  to  the 
growth  of  severer  qualities.  His  disposition  was  frank, 
generous  and  kind  ;  in  his  intercourse  with  others,  he  was 
open,  just,  sincere  and  unsuspecting  ;  liberal  in  his  hospi 
tality5,  and  of  ready  benevolence,  wherever  there  was  occa 
sion  for  his  charity.  Those  who  knew  him  best  were  the 
most  forward  to  express  their  admiration  of  his  excel 
lence." 

Dr.  Dwight,  who  was  personally  and  intimately  ac- 
quainted  with  him,  in  private  as  well  as  public  life,  bears 
this  testimony  to  his  character. 

"  With  only  the  advantages  of  a  domestic  education,  in 
a  plain  farmer's  family,  and  the  usual  instruction  of  a 
common  parish  school,  he  raised  himself  from  the  man 
agement  of  a  farm,  to  the  command  of  a  regiment,  in  the 


366  LIFE     OF     GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

last  Canadian  War  ;  and  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  t.o  the 
second  command  in  the  armies  of  the  United  States.  To 
these  stations  he  rose  solely  by  his  own  efforts,  directed 
steadily  to  the  benefit  of  his  country,  and  with  the  cheer 
ful,  as  well  as  united,  suffrages  of  his  countrymen. 

"  Every  employment  in  which  he  engaged,  he  filled 
with  reputation.  In  the  private  circles  of  life,  as  a  hus 
band,  father,  friend  and  companion,  he  was  alike  respected 
and  beloved.  In  his  manners,  though  somewhat  more 
direct  and  blunt  than  those  of  most  persons  who  have 
received  an  early,  polished  education,  he  was  gentlemanly, 
and  very  agreeable.  In  his  disposition  he  was  sincere, 
tender-hearted,  generous,  and  noble.  It  is  not  known  that 
the  passion  of  fear  ever  found  a  place  in  his  breast.  His 
word  was  regarded  as  ample  security  for  anything,  for 
which  it  was  pledged  ;  and  his  uprightness  commanded 
absolute  confidence.  His  intellect  was  vigorous  ;  and  his 
wit  pungent,  yet  pleasant  and  sportive.  The  principal 
part  of  his  improvements,  however,  were  derived  from  his 
own  observation,  and  his  correspondence  with  the  affairs 
of  men.  During  the  gayest  and  most  thoughtless  period 
of  his  life,  he  still  regarded  Religion  with  profound  reve 
rence,  and  read  the  Scriptures  with  the  deepest  veneration. 
On  the  public  worship  of  God  he  was  a  regular  and  very 
respectful  attendant.  In  the  decline  of  life,  he  publicly 
professed  the  religion  of  the  Gospel  ;  and  in  the  opinion 
of  the  respectable  clergyman  of  Brooklyn,  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Whitney,  from  whose  mouth  I  received  the  information, 
died  hopefully  a  Christian.1' 

Dr.  Whitney,  in  a  sermon  preached  immediately  after 
General  Putnam's  death,  says  :  "  He  was  eminently  a 
person  of  public  spirit,  an  unshaken  friend  of  liberty,  and 
was  proof  against  attempts  to  induce  him  to  betray  and 
desert  his  country.  The  baits  to  do  so  were  rejected  with 


HIS      DEATH.  367 

the  utmost  abhorrence.  He  was  of  a  kind,  benevolent 
disposition  ;  pitiful  to  the  distressed,  charitable  to  the 
needy,  and  ready  to  assist  all  who  wanted  his  help.  In 
his  family  he  was  the  tender,  affectionate  husband,  the 
provident  father,  an  example  of  industry  and  close  appli 
cation  to  business.  He  was  a  constant  attendant  upon  the 
public  worship  of  God,  from  his  youth  up.  He  brought 
his  family  with  him,  when  he  came  to  worship  the  Lord. 
He  was  not  ashamed  of  family  religion.  His  house  was  a 
house  of  prayer.  For  many  years  he  was  a  professor  of 
religion.  In  the  last  years  of  his  life,  he  often  expressed 
a  great  regard  for  God,  and  the  things  of  God.  There  is 
one,  at  least,  to  whom  he  freely  disclosed  the  workings  of 
his  mind — his  conviction  of  sin — his  grief  for  it — his  de 
pendence  on  God,  through  the  Redeemer,  for  pardon — and 
his  hope  of  a  future  happy  existence,  whenever  his 
strength  and  heart  should  fail  him.  This  one  makes  men 
tion  of  these  things,  for  the  satisfaction  and  comfort  of  his 
children  and  friends  ;  and  can  add,  that,  being  with  the 
General  a  little  before  he  died,  he  asked  him  whether  his 
hope  of  future  happiness,  as  formerly  expressed,  now 
attended  him.  His  answer  was  in  the  affirmative  ;  with  a 
declaration  of  his  resignation  to  the  will  of  God,  and  his 
willingness  even  then  to  die." 

In  this  hope,  and  in  the  full  possession  of  his  faculties  to 
the  last,  he  died,  on  the  19th  of  May,  1790,  in  the  seven 
ty-third  year  of  his  age.  He  was  borne  to  his  grave  with 
the  martial  honors  usually  accorded  to  a  brave  and  patri 
otic  soldier.  His  death  was  noticed,  with  every  mark  of 
respect,  in  the  public  prints  ;  while  the  people,  as  they 
met,  said  one  to  another,  "  Know  ye  not  that  there  is  a 
Prince  and  a  great  man  fallen  this  day  in  Israel  ?" 

His  tomb  bears  the  following  inscription,  from  the  pen 
and  heart  of  his  friend  Dr.  Dwight  : 


368  LIFE      OF      GENERAL      PUTNAM. 

SACRED    BE    THIS    MONUMENT 

TO    THE    MEMORY 

OF 

ISRAEL,    PUTNAM,    Esquire, 

SENIOR    MAJOR-GENERAL    IN    THE    ARMIES 

OF 
THE    UNITED    STATES    OF    AMERICA, 

who 

was  born  at  Salein, 

in  the  Province  of  Massachusetts, 

on  the  7th  day  of  January, 

A.  D.  1718, 

and  died 

OR  the  19th  day  of  May, 
A.  D.  1790. 


Passenger, 

if  thou  art  a  Soldier, 

drop  a  tear  over  the  dust  of  a  Hero, 

who, 

ever  attentive 
to  the  lives  and  happiness  of  his  men, 

dared  to  lead 
where  any  dared  to  follow ; 

if  a  Patriot, 
remember  the  distinguished  and  gallant  services 

rendered  thy  country, 

by  the  Patriot  who  sleeps  beneath  this  marble ; 

if  thou  art  honest,  generous,  and  worthy, 

render  a  cheerful  tribute  of  respect 

to  a  man, 

whose  generosity  was  singular, 
whose  honesty  was  proverbial  ; 

who 

raised  himself  to  universal  esteem, 

and  offices  of  eminent  distinction, 

by  personal  worth, 

and  a 
useful  life. 


APPENDIX. 


NUMBER   I. 

MAJOR   ROGERS. 

THE  story  of  Major  Rogers,  as  far  as  it  relates  to  the  War  of  the 
Revolution,  is  furnished  in  the  following  extracts  from  the  letters  of 
General  Washington,  and  the  notes  attached  to  them  in  Sparks' 
edition  of  his  Writings. 

"  To  MAJOR-GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 

"  Cambridge,  \Sth  December,  1 775. 

"  In  a  letter  from  Rev.  Dr.  Wheelock,  of  Dartmouth  College,  of 
the  2d  instant,  I  had  the  following  intelligence :  '  That  the  day  be 
fore,  two  soldiers  returning  from  Montreal  informed  him,  that  our 
officers  were  assured  by  a  Frenchman  (a  captain  of  the  artillery 
whom  they  had  taken  captive),  that  Major  Rogers  was  second  in 
command  under  General  Carleton,  and  that  he  had  been,  in  an  Indian 
habit,  through  our  encampment  at  St.  John's.  You  will  be  pleased 
to  have  this  report  examined  into,  and  acquaint  me  as  to  the  authen 
ticity  or  probability  of  the  truth  of  it.  If  any  circumstances  can  be 
discovered  to  induce  a  belief  that  he  was  there,  he  should  be  appre 
hended.  He  is  now  in  this  government."  *  *  * 

Note  by  Dr.  Sparks. — "  Major  Rogers  had  been  celebrated  for  his 
adventures  and  feats  of  valor  in  the  French  War,  as  the  companion 
of  Putnam  and  Stark.  He  wrote  a  journal  of  those  events,  which  is 
not  without  ability  and  interest.  He  was  once  Governor  of  Michili- 
mackinac.  After  the  peace,  he  lived  in  New  Hampshire,  and  con 
tinued  an  officer  on  half-pay.  Dr.  Wheelock's  letter,  from  which  the 
above  is  an  extract,  contains  some  other  curious  particulars  about 
him;  whether  true  or  fabulous,  the  reader  must  judge. 
16* 


370  APPENDIX. 

"  On  the  13th  ultimo,"  says  Dr.  Wheelock,  "  the  famous  Major 
Rogers  came  to  my  house,  from  a  tavern  in  the  neighborhood  where 
he  called  for  refreshment.  I  had  never  seen  him  before.  He  was  in 
but  an  ordinary  habit,  for  one  of  his  character.  He  treated  me  with 
great  respect ;  said  he  came  from  London  in  July,  and  had  spent 
twenty  days  with  the  Congress  in  Philadelphia,  and  I  forget  how 
many  at  New  York ;  had  been  offered  and  urged  to  take  a  com 
mission  in  favor  of  the  colonies,  but,  as  he  was  now  on  half-pay 
from  the  crown,  he  thought  proper  not  to  accept  it ;  that  he  had  fought 
two  battles  in  Algiers  under  the  Dey ;  that  he  was  now  on  a  design  to 
take  care  of  some  large  grants  of  land  made  to  him ;  that  he  was 
going  to  visit  his  sister  at  Moor's  Town,  and  then  to  return  by  Mer- 
rimac  River  to  visit  his  wife,  whom  he  had  not  yet  seen  since  his 
return  from  England ;  that  he  had  got  a  pass,  or  license  to  travel, 
from  the  Continental  Congress;  that  he  called  to  offer  his  services  to 
procure  a  large  interest  for  this  college;  that  its  reputation  was  great 
in  England;  that  Lord  Dartmouth,  and  many  other  noblemen,  had 
spoken  of  it  in  his  hearing,  with  expressions  of  the  highest  esteem 
and  respect;  that  Captain  Holland,  surveyor-general,  now  at  New 
York,  was  a  great  friend  to  me,  and  the  college,  and  would  assist  me 
in  the  affair ;  and  that  now  was  the  most  favorable  time  to  apply  for 
large  grants  of  land  for  it. 

"  I  thanked  him  for  these  expressions  of  his  kindness;  but,  after  I 
had  shown  some  coldness  in  accepting  it,  he  proposed  to  write  to  me 
on  his  journey,  and  let  me  know  where  I  might  reply  to  him ;  and  he 
should  be  ready  to  perform  any  friendly  office  in  the  affair.  He  said 
^f  was  in  haste  to  pursue  his  journey  that  evening." 

"  About  a  month  after  visiting  Dr.  Wheelock,  the  Major  appeared 
at  Medford,  near  the  camp,  and  wrote  to  General  Washington, 
requesting  him  to  sign  a  certificate,  permitting  him  to  travel  unmo 
lested  in  the  country.  Such  a  certificate,  or  permit,  had  first  been 
granted  by  the  Committee  of  Safety  in  Philadelphia ;  who,  from  sus 
picious  circumstances,  and  because  he  was  actually  a  British  officer, 
had  made  him  a  prisoner,  when  he  arrived  in  that  place  from  Eng 
land.  The  certificate  was  furnished  to  him,  in  consequence  of  a 
parole,  wherein  he  '  solemnly  promised  and  engaged,  on  the  honor 
of  a  gentleman  and  a  soldier,  that  he  would  not  bear  arms  against  the 
American  United  Colonies  in  any  manner  whatsoever,  during  the 
American  contest  with  Great  Britain:'  and,  in  his  letter  to  Washing 
ton,  he  says,  'I  love  America;  it  is  my  native  country  and  that  of 
iny  family,  and  I  intend  to  spend  the  evening  of  my  days  in  it.' 


APPENDIX.  371 

"These  professions  being  apparently  sincere,  Washington  sent 
General  Sullivan  to  examine  him  on  certain  points,  and  report  the 
result.  He  owned  the  accuracy  of  Dr.  Wheelock's  letter,  except  the 
part  relating  to  Canada,  which  he  denied  though  he  had  been  to  the 
west  of  Albany.  As  no  good  reason  appeared,  why  he  came  to  camp, 
or  why  he  wished  to  travel  through  the  country,  the  General  did  not 
think  it  expedient  to  receive  a  visit  from  him,  nor  to  sign  his  permit ; 
but,  as  this  had  already  been  signed  by  the  President  of  the  New 
York  Congress,  and  the  Chairman  of  the  New  Hampshire  Commit 
tee  of  Safety,  he  suffered  the  Major  to  depart  at  his  option,  and  to 
enjoy  such  security  as  his  papers,  thus  authenticated,  might  procure 
him. 

"  There  was  a  suspicion,  strengthened  by  his  subsequent  conduct, 
that  he  was  at  this  time  3  spy,  or  at  least  practising  a  verj  unworthy 
artifice  for  acquiring  a  confidence,  to  which  his  political  sentiments 
did  not  entitle  him.  Be  this  as  it  may,  he  soon  after  joined  the  ene 
my's  ranks,  and  was  raised  to  be  a  colonel  in  the  British  army,  not 
withstanding  his  paiole  of  honor,  and  his  love  of  America.  It  may 
be  said,  perhaps,  in  extenuation,  that  he  considered  his  parole  ex 
torted  from  him  at  a  time  when  there  were  no  just  grounds  for  ques 
tioning  his  motives,  and  by  an  authority  which  he  did  not  feel  bound 
to  respect."—  Vol.  Hi.,  p.  208. 

The  "  subsequent  conduct "  referred  to  above,  as  calculated  to 
awaken  suspicions,  may  be  illustrated  by  the  following  extract  from 
a  letter  of  General  Washington  to  the  President  of  Congress,  dated 
New  York,  June  27,  1776 : 

"  Upon  information  that  Major  Rogers  was  travelling  through  the 
country  under  suspicious  circumstances,  I  thought  it  necessary  to 
have  him  secured.  I,  therefore,  sent  after  him.  He  was  taken  at 
South  Amboy,  and  brought  up  to  New  York.  Upon  examination, 
he  informed  m»that  he  came  from  New  Hampshire,  the  country  of 
his  usual  abode,  where  he  had  left  his  family ;  and  pretended  he 
was  destined  to  Philadelphia  on  business  with  Congress. 

"  As,  by  his  own  confession,  he  had  crossed  Hudson's  River  at 
New  Windsor,  and  was  taken  so  far  out  of  his  proper  and  direct 
route  to  Philadelphia,  this  consideration,  added  to  the  length  of  time 
he  had  taken  to  perform  his  journey,  his  being  found  in  so  suspicious 
a  place  as  Amboy,*  his  unnecessary  stay  there,  on  pretence  of  get 
ting  some  baggage  from  New  York,  and  an  expectation  of  receiving 

*  The  most  convenient  point  of  communication  with  the  British  on  Staten 
Island. 


372  APPENDIX. 

money  from  a  person  hare  of  bad  character,  and  in  no  circumstances 
to  furnish  him  oat  of  his  own  stock,  the  Major's  reputation,  and  his 
being  a  half-pay  officer,  have  increased  my  jealousies  about  him. 
The  business  which  he  informs  me  he  has  with  Congress,  is  a  secret 
offer  of  his  services,  to  the  end  that,  in  case  it  should  be  rejected,  he 
might  have  his  way  left  open  to  an  employment  in  the  East  Indies, 
to  which  he  is  assigned ;  and  in  that  case,  he  flatters  himself  he  will 
obtain  leave  of  Congress  to  go  to  Great  Britain. 

"  As  he  had  been  put  upon  his  parole  by  Congress,  I  thought  it 
would  be  improper  to  stay  his  progress  to  Philadelphia,  should  he  be 
in  fact  destined  thither.  I,  therefore,  send  him  forward,  but,  to  pre 
vent  imposition,  under  the  care  of  an  officer,  with  letters  found  upon 
him,  which,  from  their  tenor,  seem  calculated  to  recommend  him  to 
Congress.  I  submit  it  to  their  consideration,  whether  it  would  not 
be  dangerous  to  accept  the  offer  of  his  services." 

Note  by  Dr.  Sparks. — "Congress  directed,  that  Major  Rogers 
should  be  sent  to  New  Hampshire,  to  be  disposed  of  as  the  govern 
ment  of  that  Province  should  judge  best.  He  soon  afterwards  went 
over  to  the  British." — Vol.  in.,  p.  439. 

In  September  following,  Major  Rogers  was  found  actively  employ 
ed  in  the  British  service,  and  against  the  American  interests,  not 
withstanding  his  parole,  and  his  love  of  America.  He  had  aban 
doned  his  position  in  the  East  Indies,  if  he  ever  had  any,  and  was 
engaged  in  drumming  up  British  recruits,  from  among  the  American 
tories  on  Long  Island.  The  following,  from  a  letter  of  Washington 
to  Governor  Trumbull,  of  Connecticut,  establishes  this  fact. 

"  Haerlem,  30&  September,  1776. 

"  Having  received  authentic  advices  from  Long  Island,  that  the 
enemy  are  recruiting  a  great  number  of  men  *  *  *  I  have  directed 
*  *  an  expedition  to  the  island,  to  check  and  suppress,  if  possible,  a 
practice  so  injurious  to  our  cause.  *  *  *  The  influence  of  their 
money  and  their  artifices,  has  already  passed  the  Sound,  and  several 
persons  have  been  detected  of  late,  who  have  enlisted  to  serve  under 
their  banner,  and  the  particular  command  of  Major  Rogers." 

Governor  Trumbull,  in  writing  to  Colonel  Livingston  on  the  sub 
ject,  says :  ';  I  have  received  intelligence,  which  I  believe  may  be 
depended  on,  that  Major  Rogers,  now  employed  by  General  Howe, 
and  who  you  know  was  a  famous  partizan.  or  ranger,  in  the  last 
war,  is  collecting  a  battalion  of  tories  on  Long  Island  and  from  the 
main,  many  of  whom  have  joined  him  at  Huntington,  and  that  he 


APPENDIX.  373 

proposes  soon  to  make  a  sudden  attack  in  the  night  on  Norwalk,  to 
take  the  continental  stores,  and  lay  waste  the  town.  I  hope  we  shall 
be  able  to  frustrate  his  designs.  I  have  no  need  to  apprise  you  of  the 
art  of  this  Rogers.  He  has  been  a  famous  scouter,  or  woods-hunter, 
skilled  in  waylaying,  ambuscade,  and  sudden  attack." — Vol.  iv.t 
page  128! 

Major  Rogers,  on  his  return  to  the  British  camp,  was  immediately 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  a  Colonel,  with  the  command  of  a  regiment 
of  loyalists,  called  the  Queen's  Rangers.  General  Howe  wrote,  on 
the  6th  August,  "  Major  Rogers,  having  escaped  to  us  from  Philadel 
phia,  is  empowered  to  raise  a  battalion  of  rangers,  which,  I  hope, 
may  be  useful  in  the  course  of  the  campaign."  The  following  is  a 
copy  of  enlisting  orders,  sent  out  by  him : 

"  Valentine's  Hill,  30  December,  177G. 

"  Whereas  his  Majesty's  service  makes  it  absolutely  necessary  that 
recruits  should  be  raised,  this  is  to  certify  that  Mr.  Daniel  Strang,  or 
any  other  gentleman,  who  may  bring  in  recruits,  shall  have  commis 
sions,  according  to  the  number  he  or  they  shall  bring  in  for  the 
Glueen's  American  Rangers.  No  more  than  forty  shillings  bounty  is 
to  be  given  to  any  man,  which  is  to  be  applied  towards  purchasing 
necessaries ;  to  serve  during  the  present  REBELLION,  and  no  longer. 
They  will  have  their  •proportion  of  all  REBEL  lands,  and  all  privileges 
equal  to  any  of  his  Majesty's  troops.  The  officers  are  to  be  the  best 
judges  in  what  manner  they  will  get  their  men  in,  either  by  parties, 
detachments,  or  otherwise,  as  may  seem  most  advantageous ;  which 
men  are  to  be  attested  before  the  first  magistrate  within  the  British 
lines, 

"ROBERT  ROGERS, 
"  Lieutenant- Colonel  Commandant  of  the  Queen's  Rangers. 

"  Strang,  who  had  the  above  paper  in  his  possession,  was  taken  up 
near  the  American  camp,  at  Peekskill.  He  was  tried  by  a  court- 
martial,  and  making  no  defence,  was  condemned  to  suffer  death,  on 
the  charge  of  holding  correspondence  with  the  enemy,  and  lurking 
round  the  camp  as  a  spy.  General  Washington  approved  the  sen 
tence.  But,  notwithstanding  this  rigor,  and  the  danger  of  the  service 
beyond  the  enemy's  lines,  yet  persons  were  found  to  in  engage  it,  who 
met  with  some  success,  though  much  less  than  had  been  anticipated 
by  General  Howe.  Recruits  for  the  British  provincial  regiments 
were  raised,  even  as  high  up  the  North  River  as  Dutchess  county, 
and  Livingston's  Manor.  The  Island  of  New  York,  Long  Island,  Sta- 


374  APPENDIX. 

ten  Island,  and  a  large  part  of  Westchester  county,  were  wholly  sub 
ject  to  the  power  of  the  enemy ;  and,  as  these  were  populous  districts, 
they  doubtless  afforded  the  chief  portion  of  the  provincial  troops,  en 
listed  into  the  king's  service,  while  General  Howe's  head-quarters 
were  in  New  York." — Vol.  iv.}  page  521. 

Near  the  end  of  October,  Colonel  Haslet  was  despatched,  with 
*seven  hundred  and  fifty  men,  by  order  of  Lord  Stirling,  "  to  attack 
the  enemy's  outposts  at  Mamaroneck ;  which  was  done,  and  their 
guards  forced.  We  brought  in  thirty-six  prisoners,  a  pair  of  colors, 
sixty  stand  of  arms,  and  a  variety  of  other  plunder  besides.  The 
party  we  fell  in  with  was  Colonel  Rogers,  the  late  worthless  Major. 
On  the  first  fire,  he  skulked  off  in  the  dark.  His  lieutenant,  and  a 
number  of  others,  were  left  dead  on  the  spot.  Had  not  our  guards 
deserted  on  the  first  outset,  he  and  his  whole  party  must  have  been 
taken."— Page  526. 

In  November,  General  Lee  formed  a  plan  for  attacking  and  carry 
ing  off  Rogers,  at  a  moment  when  he  was  ordered  by  General  Wash 
ington  to  move  in  another  direction.  It  was  while  aiming  to  accom 
plish  this  object,  that  he  was  surprised  by  Colonel  Harcourt,  and 
carried  to  Brunswick,  a  prisoner  of  war. 


NUMBER    II. 


THR   BATTLE    OP    BUNKER    HILL. 

COLONEL  SWETT'S  admirable,  and  ably  fortified  sketch  of  this  great 
battle,  which,  to  use  the  language  of  the  Christian  Examiner,  "  is 
now  classical  authority  on  the  subject" — which  Bradford  refers  to,  as 
"  the  most  correct  and  perfect  account  which  has  been  given" — and 
which  the  Boston  Courier  cites,  as  "  one  of  the  most  valuable  and  au 
thentic  records  connected  with  the  History  of  the  Revolution" — would 
seem  to  have  put  for  ever  at  rest,  the  question  of  the  presence  and 
active  services  of  General  Putnam,  on  that  memorable  occasion. 
The  ample  notes  appended  to  the  third  edition  of  that  sketch,  furnish 
an  amount  and  variety  of  testimony  that  is  absolutely  overwhelming. 
Referring  to  them,  I  take  leave  to  add,  in  this  place,  a  few  more  of 
the  same  character,  which  have  been  kindly  furnished  by  several 
friendly  correspondents—not  because  they  are  necessary  to  establish 
the  point  in  dispute,  but  just  to  preserve  them  from  oblivion. 

"  I,  Sylvanus  Conant,  oi  Mansfield,  in  the  County  of  Tolland  ana 
State  of  Connecticut,  testify  and  say,  that  I  am  now  in  my  ninety- 
second  ye?.r ;  that  I  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War ;  that  I 
was  in  the  battle  of  Bunker's  Hill,  on  the  seventeenth  day  of  June, 
1775;  that  I  was  acquainted  with  General  Israel  Putnam,  of  Con 
necticut,  and  know  that  he  was  in  the  battle.  Saw  him  at  the  com 
mencement  of  the  battle,  riding  about  the  hill,  and  giving  orders  to 
the  troops,  and  heard  him  sharply  reproving  a  soldier  for  cowardice, 
or  neglect  of  duty ;  and  was  told  by  others,  though  this  I  did  not  see 
myself,  that  near  the  close  of  the  battle,  General  Putnam,  seeing  a 
field-piece  deserted  by  the  company,  dismounted  from  his  horse  and 
firea  the  piece  once  or  twice  with  his  own  hands,  and  then  remount 
ed  his  horse,  and  rode  off  the  hill  with  the  retreating  troops. 

"  Subscribed  and  sworn  to  this  5th  day  of  January,  1843. 

'SYLVAN US  CONANT. 

"  State  of  Connecticut,  >  "  Mansfield.  Jan.  5,  1843." 

"  Tolland  County."   J* 


376  APPENDIX. 

[Prom  the  Mercantile  Journal,  Boston.\ 

"MR.  SLEEPER,  Dear  Sir:  I  understand  from  the  public  papers, 
that  Mr.  Bancroft  stated  in  a  late  lecture  before  the  Charlestown 
Lyceum,  that  he  found  no  evidence  to  prove  that  General  Putnam 
had  the  chief  command  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  or  even  took  any 
part  in  the  engagement.  For  his  informal  ion  and  that  of  the  public, 
please  give  currency,  through  your  journal,  to  the  following  facts, 
which  I  lately  obtained  from  Major  John  Burnham,  of  this  town. 
Major  Burnham,  I  would  remark,  is  a  Revolutionary  soldier  and 
officer;  is  in  his  ninety-fourth  year,  and  yet  retains  his  mental  facul 
ties  in  a  wonderful  manner.  He  is  a  very  worthy  man,  and  a 
humble  disciple  of  Christ.  I  assure  you  the  most  implicit  confidence 
can  be  placed  in  his  statements. 

"  I  paid  him  a  visit  the  other  day,  arid  he  informed  me  that  he  took 
an  active  part  in  that  ever  memorable  engagement  of  the  17th  of 
June ;  that  he  was  lieutenant  of  a  company  from  Gloucester,  com 
manded  by  Captain  Warner ;  that  he  arrived  on  the  battle-ground  a 
few  minutes  before  the  firing  commenced ;  that  his  Captain  was 
met  by  General  Putnam  and  directed  where  to  go;  that  he  fre 
quently  saw  the  General,  riding  among  the  troops  and  giving  orders; 
that  he  never  knew  or  heard,  at  the  time  of  the  battle,  of  any  other 
individual  taking  the  chief  command  but  General  Putnam  ;  and  that 
he  has  no  more  doubt  of  the  fact  than  he  has  of  his  own  existence. 
Such  is  the  testimony  of  one  who  had  the  best  possible  means  of 
knowing  the  truth  of  his  statements. 

"A.  F.  H. 

"  Derry,  January  Pith,  1843." 

Letter  of  H.  Burbeck,  now  upwards  of  ninety  years  old,  to  C.  S. 
Davies,  Esq.,  of  Portland,  Me. : 

"  Figure  to  yourself  a  man  of  sixty— six  feet  high  and  somewhat 
round-shouldered;  sun-burnt  from  exposure;  with  coarse  leather 
shoes,  and  blue  stockings;  coarse  homespun  small-clothes,  a  red 
waistcoat,  and  calico  '  Banian  '  (answering  to  the  sack  worn  at  the 
present  day),  a  three-cornered  hat,  with  a  red  cockade,  and  a  bande- 
lier,  or  belt,  with  a  sword  hung  high  up  under  the  left  arm.  You 
will  >ay  that  it  is  a  complete  caricature — but  such  was  the  fact,  and 
such  the  dress  of  the  Heroes,  who  fought  at  the  Battle  of  Bunker 
Hill. 

"  On  that  day,  General  Putnam  rode  between  Charlestown  and 
Cambridge  without  a  coat,  in  his  shirt  sleeves,  and  an  old  white  felt 


APPENDIX.  377 

hat  on,  to  report  to  General  Ward,  and  to  consult  upon  further  opera 
tions.  I  never  understood  that  he  was  in  the  engagement,  but  was 
very  active  in  forwarding  troops,  ammunition,  &c.  In  short,  he  was 
the  great  gun  of  the  day.  Colonels  Prescott  and  Stark  were  warmly 
engaged  in  the  battle ;  but  General  Putnam  forwarded  the  materials 
to  them,  to  support  the  action.  For  that  reason  he  is  justly  entitled  to 
equal  praise  and  honor  on  that  eventful  day,  for  without  his  assist 
ance  nothing  would  have  been  done. 

«  H.  BURBECK." 

It  is  not  surprising  that  there  should  be  differences  of  opinion,  ia 
relation  to  the  nature  of  Putnam's  command,  among  the  multitude  of 
irregular  troops  collected  on  that  day.  The  greater  part  of  them 
were  ready  to  obey  the  orders  of  any  one  in  whom  they  had  confi 
dence,  and  did  not  stoop  to  ask  if  he  was  regularly  invested  with  the 
command  by  the  proper  authorities.  The  officers  were  equally  ready 
to  take  command,  where  they  could  render  good  service  by  doing  so. 
The  only  matter  of  surprise  is,  that  any  should  have  been  found,  who 
were  willing  to  deny  that  Putnam  was  on  the  field  at  all,  because 
they  did  not  happen  to  see  him,  at  particular  times  and  places.  It  is 
probable  that  most  of  the  soldiers,  if  they  were  true  to  their  own 
duty,  had  other  and  more  absorbing  employment,  than  taking  notes 
of  the  proceedings  of  their  commanders,  with  a  view  to  calling  them 
to  account  for  their  conduct.  The  field  was  an  irregular  one.  The 
action  was  in  all  parts  of  it,  and  it  was  impossible  for  any  one  to 
say  who  was,  or  was  not,  present  at  any  particular  time,  except  in 
the  immediate  vicinity  of  his  own  post.  And  even  then,  amid  the 
smoke,  and  din,  and  confusion  of  battle,  an  officer  might  have  pass 
ed  and  repassed  many  times,  and  ordered  some  of  the  most  important 
movements  of  the  day,  without  being  noticed,  or  even  seen,  by  one 
in  ten  of  the  soldiers. 

In  all  such  cases  as  this,  it  is  manifest,  that  testimony  of  a  merely 
negative  character  can  have  no  weight  at  all  against  that  which  is 
positive.  The  evidence  of  one  competent  witness,  testifying  that  he 
saw  General  Putnam  in  the  heat  of  the  engagement,  discharging  the 
duty  of  a  brave  and  able  commander,  would  be  allowed,  in  any  court 
of  justice,  to  overbalance  that  of  any  number,  who  could  only  say 
they  did  not  see  him.  The  amount  and  character  of  positive  testi 
mony  to  this  point,  furnished  by  Colonel  Swell's  notes,  is  such  as 
should  satisfy  the  most  determined  skeptic. 

With  reference  to  the  same  point,  Dr.  D  wight  says :  "  It  is  not  so 


378  APPENDIX. 

extensively  known,  as  it  ought  to  be,  that  General  Putnam  command 
ed  the  American  forces  at  the  Battle  of  Breed's  Hill ;  and  that,  to 
his  courage  and  conduct,  the  United  States  are  particularly  indebted 
for  the  advantages  of  that  day ;  one  of  the  most  brilliant  in  the  annals 
df  this  country." 

The  following  is  a  note  to  Rev.  Dr.  Whitney's  sermon  on  the 
death  of  General  Putnam. 


"  The  friends  of  the  late  General  Putnam  feel  themselves  not  a 
little  obliged  to  his  worthy  and  respectable  biographer,  for  giving  to 
the  public  the  distinguishing  features  in  the  General's  character,  and 
the  memorable  actions  of  his  life ;  yet  wish  that  a  more  perfect  and 
just  account  had  been  given  of  the  Battle  of  Bunker's  Hill,  so  far  as 
General  Putnam  was  concerned  in  it.  In  page  107  of  his  life,  are 
the  following  words :  '  The  provincial  Generals  having  received 
advice  that  the  British  Commander-in-chief  designed  to  take  posses 
sion  of  the  heights  on  the  peninsula  of  Charlestown,  detached  a  thou 
sand  men,  in  the  night  of  the  16th  of  June,  under  the  orders  of  Gene 
ral  Warren,  to  intrench  themselves  upon  one  of  those  eminences :' 
and  on  page  110 :  'In  this  battle,  the  presence  and  example  of  Gene 
ral  Putnam,  who  arrived  with  the  reinforcements,  were  not  less  con 
spicuous  than  useful.' 

"  From  the  first  of  these  passages,  the  reader  is  led  to  conclude, 
that  the  detachment  was  first  put  under  the  orders  of  General  War 
ren  ;  from  the  second,  that  General  Putnam  came  to  General  War 
ren's  aid,  with  a  reinforcement.  The  true  state  of  the  case  was  this. 
— The  detachment  at  first  was  put  under  the  command  of  General 
Putnam.  With  it  he  took  possession  of  the  hill,  and  ordered  the 
battle  from  the  beginning  to  the  end.  General  Warren  (one  of  the 
most  illustrious  patriots)  arrived  alone  on  the  hill,  and  as  a  volun 
teer  joined  the  Americans  just  as  the  action  commenced ;  and  within 
half  an  hour,  received  a  mortal  wound,  while  he  was  waxing  valiant 
in  battle,  and  soon  expired.  These  facts  General  Putnam  himself 
gave  me,  soon  after  the  battle,  and  also  repeated  them  to  me  after  his 
life  was  printed.  Colonel  Humphreys,  page  109,  justly  observes : 
'Few  instances  can  be  produced,  in  the  annals  of  mankind,  where 
soldiers  who  have  never  before  faced  an  enemy,  or  heard  the  whis 
tling  of  a  ball,  behaved  with  such  deliberate  and  persevering  valor.' 
The  General  who  encouraged  and  animated  them  by  his  words  and 


APPENDIX.  379 

example  to  prodigies  of  bravery,  is  highly  to  be  honored,  and  the 
praise  not  given  to  another,  however  meritorious  in  ether  respects. 
Other  evidence  to  confirm  what  I  have  said  here,  I  am  able  to  pro 
duce,  if  any  should  call  for  it." 

Extract  from  a  letter,  written  by  an  officer  in  the  British  army,  at 
Boston,  to  his  friend  in  England,  dated  25  June,  1775: 

"  After  the  skirmish  of  the  17th,  we  even  commended  the  troops  of 
Putnam,  who  fought  so  gallantly  pro  arts  etfocis.  When  we  marched 
to  attack  their  redoubt,  they  called  out,  "  General  Abercrombie,  are 
the  Yankees  cowards  V  nor  did  they  discharge  a  gun  until  we  were 
within  fifteen  yards.  The  fire  on  our  left  wing  was  so  hot,  that  cur 
troops  broke.  *  *  *  So  very  secretly  was  the  action  conducted, 
that  Generals  Clinton  and  Burgoyne  knew  nothing  of  it  till  the  morn 
ing.  The  town  did  in  general,  and  Putnam  in  particular.  This 
man  served  under  Prussia,  and  does  honor  to  his  master.  He  is  63, 
and  brave  to  the  back-bone." — Am.  Archives,  4t/i  Series,  vol.  ii.,  page 
1092. 

Putnam  was  at  this  time  in  his  fifty-eighth  year,  and  had  never 
seen  Prussia.  It  is  possible  that  one  of  the  distinguished  men,  under 
whom  he  served  in  the  French  war,  may  have  been  familiarly  dasig- 
nated  by  this  title.  None  of  the  American  officers,  of  that  period, 
had  seen  foreign  service.  General  Lee  was  not  then  with  the  army, 
nor  was  he  known  by  the  English  to  have  accepted  a  continental 
commission.  These  inaccuracies,  however  they  may  be  explained,  do 
not  invalidate  the  evidence  here  furnished,  that  Putnam  was  active 
and  prominent  in  that  engagement,  and  that  his  military  character 
was  held  in  the  highest  estimation  by  his  old  commanders  and  com 
rades  of  the  British  aimy. 

Sandford,  who  published  his  history  within  a  year  after  the  first 
appearance  of  the  article,  in  which  Putnam's  position  and  conduct 
in  this  battle  were  called  in  question,  has  the  following  remarks,  at 
page  291  et  seq. : 

"  It  has  been  recently  discovered,  that  '  Old  Put '  was  a  coward. 
So  stupid  a  calumny  could  only  have  found  place  in  the  pages  of  a 
stupid  journal ;  and  a  short  review  of  that  soldier's  life,  during  the 
period  in  which  this  new  trait  is  said  to  have  displayed  itself,  will 
show,  at  least,  that,  if  he  was  a  coward,  he  was  a  coward  to  some 
purpose.  The  news  from  Lexington  found  him  working  at  stone- 


380  APPENDIX. 

fence,  in  his  leathern  frock  and  apron.  He  immediately  moum-ed 
his  horse,  to  spread  the  intelligence  through  the  adjoining  towns; 
and,  when  he  returned  to  make  a  little  preparation  for  the  march,  a 
body  of  several  hundred  of  persons,  already  under  arms,  appointed 
him  their  commander.  He  ordered  them  to  march  with  a  quick 
step ;  and,  setting  off  himself,  in  his  check-shirt,  arrived  at  Concord 
by  sun-rise  next  morning. 

"  Men,  who  were  stationed  at  one  particular  spot,  in  the  battle  of 
Bunker's  Hill,  pretend  to  trace  the  movements  of  General  Putnam; 
and  have  charged  him  with  a  fear  of  powder  and  ball,  for  being  seen 
once  in  a  particular  situation,  when,  in  fact,  he  was  at  different  times 
in  every  part  of  the  field.  It  may  be  true,  that  the  army  was  not 
under  ai.-y  general,  who  had  been  regularly  commissioned ;  but  it  is 
equally  true,  that  Putnam  discharged  the  duties,  though  he  might 
not  have  held  the  diploma,  of  a  commander-in-chief.  '  General 
Warren  joins  the  Massachusetts  forces  in  one  place,'  says  Hubley ; 
'  and  General  Pomeroy  in  another,  whilst  General  Putnam  was  bu 
sily  engaged  in  aiding  and  encouraging  here  and  there  as  required.' 
Since  he  was  the  most  experienced,  and  had  not  yet  shown  himself  a 
coward,  it  was  natural  that  the  other  two  generals  should  give  him 
the  precedence ;  and  we  know  not  that  the  historian  could  have 
chosen  language  more  pointedly  expressive  of  the  conduct  which  a 
brave  commander  is  always  found  to  adopt.  That  Putnam  was,  at 
one  time,  seen  with  entrenching  tools  before  him,  we  would  rather 
admit  than  deny.  It  might  have  been  necessary  to  carry  them  from 
one  part  of  the  works  to  another:  the  length  of  the  redoubt  was 
eighty  rods :  a  man,  who  had  come  from  making  stone-fence,  was 
not  likely  to  shrink  from  a  spade  or  a  pick-axe ;  and,  since  the 
sooner  they  were  carried  the  better,  we  think  nothing  more  probable 
than  that  Putnam,  being  on  horseback,  took  a  part  of  them  him 
self. 

"  It  was  not  Colonel  Gerrish  alone,  who  was  tried  for  cowardice 
at  the  battle  of  Bunker's  Hill.  The  colonists  had  not  yet  been  sepa 
rated  from  England  long  enough  to  distinguish,  with  certainty,  the 
friends  from  the  foes:  the  conduct  of  every  individual  was  watched 
with  the  strictest  scrutiny ;  and  court  martials  continued  to  be  held 
upon  officers  and  men,  from  the  7th  of  July  to  the  5th  of  October. 
The  same  rigor  was  extended  to  the  camp.  Offences,  which  would 
now  be  overlooked,  were  then  punished  with  severity.  One  captain 
was  fined  eight  shillings  for  two  oaths ;  and  a  private  received  twenty 
lashes  for  abusing  Colonel  Gridley,  and  forging  Putnam's  order  for 


APPENDIX.  381 

a  quart  of  rum.  If  Putnam  himself  was  a  coward,  he  was  certainly 
a  most  conspicuous  coward.  Had  he  dodged,  or  turned  pale,  there 
was  not  an  officer  or  a  man  in  the  army,  who  would  not  have  been 
a  witness  to  the  fact. 

"  On  the  22d  of  July,  1775,  the  army  was  marshalled  into  three 
divisions ;  and  it  is  a  remarkable  instance  of  successful  cowardice, 
that  the  left  wing  was  given  to  Major-General  Putnam.  Indeed,  so 
little  was  his  character  known,  at  this  time,  that,  when  General 
Washington,  early  in  1776,  had  formed  a  bold  and  hazardous  plan 
of  taking  Boston  by  storm,  he  designated  Putnam  for  his  leader, 
though  he  was  youngest,  in  rank,  of  four  major-generals,  '  In  ex 
pectation/  says  Marshal,  '  that  the  flower  of  the  British  troops  would 
be  employed  against  the  heights  of  Dorchester,  General  Washington 
had  concerted  a  plan  for  availing  himself  of  that  occasion,  to  attack 
the  town  of  Boston  itself.  Four  thousand  chosen  men  were  held  in 
readiness  to  embark  at  the  mouth  of  Cambridge  river,  on  a  signal  to 
be  given,  if  the  garrison  should  appear  to  be  so  weakened  by  the 
detachment  from  it,  as  to  justify  an  assault.  These  troops  were  to 
,  embark  in  two  divisions;  the  first  to  be  led  by  Brigadier-General 
Sullivan  ;  the  second,  by  Brigadier-General  Green  ;  and  the  whole 
to  be  under  the  command  of  Major-General  Putnam.'  In  fine,  a 
lack  of  courage  was  the  last  accusation  which  could  be  expected  to 
succeed  against  General  Putnam  ;  -and,  until  a  man  has  voluntarily 
descended  to  fight  a  wolf  in  her  own  den,  let  him  never  think  him 
self  en  titled  to  call  the  hero  of  Pomfret  a  coward. 


NUMBER    III. 

PREJUDICES     OF    THE    PEOPJLE   OF   NEW   YORK   AGAINST   GENERAL 

PUTNAM. 

ON  this  subject  Dr.  Sparks  has  the  following  note,  appended  to  the 
letter  in,  which  Washington  announces  to  General  Putnam  his 
removal  from  the  command  in  the  Highlands,  and  the  causes  of  that 
removal. 

"  General  Putnam's  advanced  age,  his  good  nature,  and  easy  tem 
perament,  were  among  the  chief  causes  of  the  ill  success  of  his  com 
mand  on  the  North  River.  His  proceedings  were  not  marked  with 
the  promptness,  decision,  and  energy,  nor  even  with  the  military 
address  which  had  characterized  his  early  years.  If  all  these  had 
been  combined,  it  is  probable  there  would  still  have  been  dissatisfac 
tion,  after  the  enemy  had  forced  their  way  up  the  river,  and  laid 
waste  its  borders.  Not  only  were  complaints  uttered  by  the  popular 
voice,  but  the  political  leaders  of  the  State  expressed  discontent.  Ro 
bert  R.  Livingston,  then  Chancellor  of  New  York,  wrote  to  General 
Washington  on  the  subject  in  a  pointed  manner. 

" '  Your  Excellency,'  said  he,  '  is  not  ignorant  of  the  extent  of 
General  Putnam's  capacity  and  diligence  ;  and  how  well  soever  these 
may  qualify  him  for  this  most  important  command,  the  prejudices  to 
which  his  imprudent  lenity  to  the  disaffected,  and  too  great  inter 
course  with  the  enemy,  have  given  rise,  have  greatly  injured  his 
influence.  How  far  the  loss  of  Fort  Montgomery  and  the  subsequent 
ravages  of  the  enemy  are  to  be  attributed  to  him,  I  will  not  venture 
to  say;  as  this  will  necessarily  be  determined  by  a  court  of  inquiry, 
whose  determinations  I  would  not  anticipate.  Unfortunately  for  him, 
the  current  of  popular  opinion  in  this  and  the  neighboring  States,  and, 
as  far  as  I  can  learn,  in  the  troops  under  his  command,  runs  strongly 
against  him.  For  my  own  part,  I  respect  his  bravery  and  former 
services,  and  sincerely  lament  that  his  patriotism  will  not  suffer  him 
to  take  that  repose,  to  which  his  advanced  age  and  past  services 
justly  entitle  him.'— MS.  Letter,  Jan.  14£A. 

"  It  must  be  remembered,  that  at  this  station  there  were  innumera- 


APPENDIX.  383 

ble  applications  for  passports  to  go  into  New  York,  under  the  pre 
tence  of  urgent  business,  and  various  matters  of  a  private  concern ; 
and  it  was  thought  General  Putnam's  good  nature  was  too  pliant  on 
these  occasions,  and  that  too  many  opportunities  were  afforded  for 
an  improper  intercourse  between  the  disaffected  and  the  enemy.  At 
any  rate,  the  symptoms  of  uneasiness  appeared  from  such  high 
sources,  and  were  so  decidedly  manifested,  that  General  Washington 
deemed  it  necessary  to  take  notice  of  them,  and  change  the  com 
mand." 

The  case  of  General  Schuyler,  and  many  others,  afford  easy  proof 
how  readily  such  prejudices  arise  among  the  masses  of  the  people, 
without  any  good  foundation  ;  and  how  the  best  and  ablest  officers, 
and  most  devoted  patriots,  may  be  temporarily  involved  in  the  sha 
dows  of  public  censure,  and  even  removed  from  the  sphere  of  their 
useful  efforts,  without  in  the  least  diminishing  their  claims  to  the 
gratitude  and  respect  of  posterity.  The  history  of  General  Washing 
ton  is  not  wanting  in  lessons  of  this  kind  ;  and,  if  some  distinguished 
and  talented  officers  in  his  own  army,  and  others  who  stood  high  in 
the  confidence  of  the  American  people,  could  have  prevailed  in  their 
designs,  even  he  would  have  been  superseded  in  that  lofty  command, 
of  which  it  is  difficult  to  say,  whether  the  station  conferred  dignity 
upon  the  man,  or  the  man  upon  the  station. 


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